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 Old Beach, accounting for 91.8% (4,053 people). This share was higher than Brighton (M) (91.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 566 people, while its share fell by 0.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Old Beach - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Old Beach in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Brighton (M) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Old Beach, with comparison markers for Brighton (M).
English
2021 count
4,053
% of total
91.8%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
4,053
91.8%
-0.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
109
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
109
2.5%
-1.2pp
Mandarin
2021 count
26
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
26
0.6%
+0.2pp
Greek
2021 count
15
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
15
0.3%
-0.3pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
15
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
15
0.3%
+0.2pp
Nepali
2021 count
14
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-
14
0.3%
-
Italian
2021 count
13
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
13
0.3%
-0.3pp
Punjabi
2021 count
12
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-
12
0.3%
-
Sinhalese
2021 count
11
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-
11
0.2%
-
Portuguese
2021 count
10
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-
10
0.2%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+566
-0.8pp
Not stated
-29
-1.2pp
Mandarin
+10
+0.2pp
Greek
-7
-0.3pp
Vietnamese
+10
+0.2pp
Italian
-10
-0.3pp
Data table
Language used at home for Old Beach. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Brighton (M).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Brighton (M)% | Count | % | Brighton (M)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 4,053 | 91.8% | 91.1% | 3,487 | 92.6% | 91.5% | +566 | -0.8pp |
| Not stated | 109 | 2.5% | 5.6% | 138 | 3.7% | 6.8% | -29 | -1.2pp |
| Mandarin | 26 | 0.6% | 0.3% | 16 | 0.4% | 0.2% | +10 | +0.2pp |
| Greek | 15 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 22 | 0.6% | 0.2% | -7 | -0.3pp |
| Vietnamese | 15 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 5 | 0.1% | 0.0% | +10 | +0.2pp |
| Nepali | 14 | 0.3% | 0.1% | - | - | - | - | - |
| Italian | 13 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 23 | 0.6% | 0.2% | -10 | -0.3pp |
| Punjabi | 12 | 0.3% | 0.3% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Sinhalese | 11 | 0.2% | 0.2% | - | - | - | - | - |
| Portuguese | 10 | 0.2% | 0.1% | - | - | - | - | - |
| Total | 4,413 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,764 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +649 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.