Cultural diversity
Language used at home
About this topic
Language used at home shows which languages people speak in their home life and whether English or another language is used most often. It is a key indicator of cultural diversity and language retention within communities.
This topic is useful for planning communication, multicultural services, and local engagement. It should be analysed together with proficiency in English and birthplace, because language alone does not show migration history or support needs.
Interpretation notes
- The Census records the language used most often at home, so it does not capture every language a person can speak.
- Language used at home is not a measure of English proficiency, literacy, or migration history on its own.
Key insight
In 2021, English was the most common language used at home among residents in Brighton East (part), accounting for 75.4% (12,611 people). This share was lower than Bayside (C) (81.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 515 people, while its share fell by 0.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Brighton East (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Brighton East (part) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Bayside (C) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Brighton East (part), with comparison markers for Bayside (C).
English
2021 count
12,611
% of total
75.4%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
12,611
75.4%
-0.2pp
Mandarin
2021 count
768
% of total
4.6%
Change from 2016
+1.7pp
768
4.6%
+1.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
664
% of total
4.0%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
664
4.0%
-0.8pp
Greek
2021 count
455
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
455
2.7%
-0.2pp
Russian
2021 count
347
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
347
2.1%
-0.1pp
Italian
2021 count
220
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
220
1.3%
-0.4pp
Hebrew
2021 count
160
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
160
1.0%
-0.1pp
Spanish
2021 count
113
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
113
0.7%
+0.3pp
Cantonese
2021 count
104
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
104
0.6%
+0.1pp
Polish
2021 count
95
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
95
0.6%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+515
-0.2pp
Mandarin
+308
+1.7pp
Not stated
-108
-0.8pp
Greek
-8
-0.2pp
Russian
-8
-0.1pp
Italian
-45
-0.4pp
Hebrew
-19
-0.1pp
Spanish
+47
+0.3pp
Cantonese
+22
+0.1pp
Polish
-29
-0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Brighton East (part). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Bayside (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Bayside (C)% | Count | % | Bayside (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 12,611 | 75.4% | 81.1% | 12,096 | 75.6% | 80.2% | +515 | -0.2pp |
| Mandarin | 768 | 4.6% | 2.8% | 460 | 2.9% | 2.1% | +308 | +1.7pp |
| Not stated | 664 | 4.0% | 3.5% | 772 | 4.8% | 5.1% | -108 | -0.8pp |
| Greek | 455 | 2.7% | 2.0% | 463 | 2.9% | 2.2% | -8 | -0.2pp |
| Russian | 347 | 2.1% | 1.3% | 355 | 2.2% | 1.3% | -8 | -0.1pp |
| Italian | 220 | 1.3% | 1.0% | 265 | 1.7% | 1.3% | -45 | -0.4pp |
| Hebrew | 160 | 1.0% | 0.2% | 179 | 1.1% | 0.3% | -19 | -0.1pp |
| Spanish | 113 | 0.7% | 0.7% | 66 | 0.4% | 0.5% | +47 | +0.3pp |
| Cantonese | 104 | 0.6% | 0.5% | 82 | 0.5% | 0.4% | +22 | +0.1pp |
| Polish | 95 | 0.6% | 0.4% | 124 | 0.8% | 0.5% | -29 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 16,734 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 15,992 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +742 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.