Cultural diversity
Language spoken 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 Alderley, accounting for 85.9% (5,806 people). This share was higher than Brisbane (C) (71.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 578 people and 1 percentage point.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Alderley - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Alderley 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 Alderley, with comparison markers for Brisbane (C).
English
Not stated
Spanish
Nepali
Mandarin
Italian
Cantonese
Portuguese
Japanese
Korean
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+578
+1.0pp
Not stated
-92
-1.8pp
Spanish
+30
+0.4pp
Nepali
+7
0.0pp
Mandarin
+19
+0.2pp
Italian
+3
0.0pp
Cantonese
+8
+0.1pp
Portuguese
+21
+0.3pp
Japanese
+1
0.0pp
Korean
+11
+0.1pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Alderley. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Brisbane (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Brisbane (C)% | Count | % | Brisbane (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 5,806 | 85.9% | 71.6% | 5,228 | 84.9% | 71.8% | +578 | +1.0pp |
| Not stated | 203 | 3.0% | 4.4% | 295 | 4.8% | 5.8% | -92 | -1.8pp |
| Spanish | 74 | 1.1% | 1.1% | 44 | 0.7% | 0.9% | +30 | +0.4pp |
| Nepali | 66 | 1.0% | 0.5% | 59 | 1.0% | 0.3% | +7 | 0.0pp |
| Mandarin | 64 | 0.9% | 4.4% | 45 | 0.7% | 4.1% | +19 | +0.2pp |
| Italian | 41 | 0.6% | 0.6% | 38 | 0.6% | 0.7% | +3 | 0.0pp |
| Cantonese | 34 | 0.5% | 1.5% | 26 | 0.4% | 1.5% | +8 | +0.1pp |
| Portuguese | 33 | 0.5% | 0.4% | 12 | 0.2% | 0.3% | +21 | +0.3pp |
| Japanese | 32 | 0.5% | 0.5% | 31 | 0.5% | 0.5% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Korean | 28 | 0.4% | 0.9% | 17 | 0.3% | 1.0% | +11 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 6,758 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,161 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +597 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.