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 Acacia Ridge, accounting for 59.1% (4,407 people). This share was lower than Brisbane (C) (71.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Cantonese, which decreased by 29 people and 0.4 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Acacia Ridge - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises language used at home for Acacia Ridge in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Brisbane (C) and change since 2016.

Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Acacia Ridge, with comparison markers for Brisbane (C).

Acacia Ridge
Brisbane (C)

English

2021 count

4,407

% of total

59.1%

Change from 2016

-0.7pp

Not stated

2021 count

709

% of total

9.5%

Change from 2016

+1.8pp

Somali

2021 count

208

% of total

2.8%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Vietnamese

2021 count

185

% of total

2.5%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Arabic

2021 count

163

% of total

2.2%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Spanish

2021 count

127

% of total

1.7%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Mandarin

2021 count

124

% of total

1.7%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Punjabi

2021 count

105

% of total

1.4%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Tagalog

2021 count

89

% of total

1.2%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Bosnian

2021 count

83

% of total

1.1%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Data table

Language used at home for Acacia Ridge. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Brisbane (C).

Language used at home for Acacia Ridge. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Brisbane (C).
Language used at home for Acacia Ridge. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Brisbane (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Brisbane (C)%Count%Brisbane (C)%Countpp
English4,40759.1%71.6%4,42659.8%71.8%-19-0.7pp
Not stated7099.5%4.4%5717.7%5.8%+138+1.8pp
Somali2082.8%0.2%2072.8%0.2%+10.0pp
Vietnamese1852.5%1.7%1922.6%1.6%-7-0.1pp
Arabic1632.2%0.6%1732.3%0.6%-10-0.1pp
Spanish1271.7%1.1%1331.8%0.9%-6-0.1pp
Mandarin1241.7%4.4%1271.7%4.1%-30.0pp
Punjabi1051.4%1.0%1051.4%0.9%00.0pp
Tagalog891.2%0.5%921.2%0.5%-30.0pp
Bosnian831.1%0.1%801.1%0.1%+30.0pp
Total7,463100.0%100.0%7,397100.0%100.0%+660.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.