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 Algester, accounting for 59.6% (5,350 people). This share was lower than Brisbane (C) (71.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Mandarin, which increased by 192 people and 1.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Algester - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Algester 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 Algester, with comparison markers for Brisbane (C).
English
2021 count
5,350
% of total
59.6%
Change from 2016
-6.3pp
5,350
59.6%
-6.3pp
Mandarin
2021 count
874
% of total
9.7%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
874
9.7%
+1.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
411
% of total
4.6%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
411
4.6%
+0.9pp
Cantonese
2021 count
243
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
243
2.7%
+0.3pp
Punjabi
2021 count
242
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
242
2.7%
+1.0pp
Korean
2021 count
177
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
177
2.0%
+1.4pp
Hindi
2021 count
129
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
129
1.4%
+0.1pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
113
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
113
1.3%
+0.4pp
Arabic
2021 count
104
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
104
1.2%
+0.6pp
Urdu
2021 count
91
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
91
1.0%
+0.4pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-178
-6.3pp
Mandarin
+192
+1.6pp
Not stated
+101
+0.9pp
Cantonese
+41
+0.3pp
Punjabi
+100
+1.0pp
Korean
+129
+1.4pp
Hindi
+22
+0.1pp
Vietnamese
+38
+0.4pp
Arabic
+54
+0.6pp
Urdu
+39
+0.4pp
Data table
Language used at home for Algester. 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 | 5,350 | 59.6% | 71.6% | 5,528 | 65.9% | 71.8% | -178 | -6.3pp |
| Mandarin | 874 | 9.7% | 4.4% | 682 | 8.1% | 4.1% | +192 | +1.6pp |
| Not stated | 411 | 4.6% | 4.4% | 310 | 3.7% | 5.8% | +101 | +0.9pp |
| Cantonese | 243 | 2.7% | 1.5% | 202 | 2.4% | 1.5% | +41 | +0.3pp |
| Punjabi | 242 | 2.7% | 1.0% | 142 | 1.7% | 0.9% | +100 | +1.0pp |
| Korean | 177 | 2.0% | 0.9% | 48 | 0.6% | 1.0% | +129 | +1.4pp |
| Hindi | 129 | 1.4% | 0.9% | 107 | 1.3% | 0.9% | +22 | +0.1pp |
| Vietnamese | 113 | 1.3% | 1.7% | 75 | 0.9% | 1.6% | +38 | +0.4pp |
| Arabic | 104 | 1.2% | 0.6% | 50 | 0.6% | 0.6% | +54 | +0.6pp |
| Urdu | 91 | 1.0% | 0.3% | 52 | 0.6% | 0.2% | +39 | +0.4pp |
| Total | 8,981 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 8,383 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +598 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.