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 Annerley, accounting for 73.2% (8,697 people). This share was higher than Brisbane (C) (71.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 892 people and 4.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Annerley - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Annerley 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 Annerley, with comparison markers for Brisbane (C).
English
2021 count
8,697
% of total
73.2%
Change from 2016
+4.2pp
8,697
73.2%
+4.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
450
% of total
3.8%
Change from 2016
-2.9pp
450
3.8%
-2.9pp
Spanish
2021 count
243
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
243
2.0%
+0.6pp
Mandarin
2021 count
229
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
229
1.9%
-1.2pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
204
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
204
1.7%
-0.1pp
Greek
2021 count
165
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
165
1.4%
0.0pp
Arabic
2021 count
98
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
98
0.8%
+0.1pp
Nepali
2021 count
94
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
94
0.8%
0.0pp
Cantonese
2021 count
88
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
88
0.7%
-0.2pp
Italian
2021 count
82
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
82
0.7%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+892
+4.2pp
Not stated
-308
-2.9pp
Spanish
+87
+0.6pp
Mandarin
-121
-1.2pp
Vietnamese
-3
-0.1pp
Greek
+5
0.0pp
Arabic
+22
+0.1pp
Nepali
+5
0.0pp
Cantonese
-19
-0.2pp
Italian
+5
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Annerley. 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 | 8,697 | 73.2% | 71.6% | 7,805 | 69.0% | 71.8% | +892 | +4.2pp |
| Not stated | 450 | 3.8% | 4.4% | 758 | 6.7% | 5.8% | -308 | -2.9pp |
| Spanish | 243 | 2.0% | 1.1% | 156 | 1.4% | 0.9% | +87 | +0.6pp |
| Mandarin | 229 | 1.9% | 4.4% | 350 | 3.1% | 4.1% | -121 | -1.2pp |
| Vietnamese | 204 | 1.7% | 1.7% | 207 | 1.8% | 1.6% | -3 | -0.1pp |
| Greek | 165 | 1.4% | 0.5% | 160 | 1.4% | 0.6% | +5 | 0.0pp |
| Arabic | 98 | 0.8% | 0.6% | 76 | 0.7% | 0.6% | +22 | +0.1pp |
| Nepali | 94 | 0.8% | 0.5% | 89 | 0.8% | 0.3% | +5 | 0.0pp |
| Cantonese | 88 | 0.7% | 1.5% | 107 | 0.9% | 1.5% | -19 | -0.2pp |
| Italian | 82 | 0.7% | 0.6% | 77 | 0.7% | 0.7% | +5 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 11,889 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 11,314 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +575 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.