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 Ashgrove, accounting for 89% (11,984 people). This share was higher than Brisbane (C) (71.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 500 people and 0.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Ashgrove - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Ashgrove 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 Ashgrove, with comparison markers for Brisbane (C).
English
2021 count
11,984
% of total
89.0%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
11,984
89.0%
+0.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
300
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
-2.4pp
300
2.2%
-2.4pp
Spanish
2021 count
137
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
137
1.0%
+0.4pp
Mandarin
2021 count
111
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
111
0.8%
+0.3pp
Italian
2021 count
84
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
84
0.6%
-0.2pp
Hindi
2021 count
66
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
66
0.5%
+0.2pp
German
2021 count
59
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
59
0.4%
0.0pp
Portuguese
2021 count
55
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
55
0.4%
+0.2pp
French
2021 count
50
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
50
0.4%
0.0pp
Cantonese
2021 count
43
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
43
0.3%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+500
+0.8pp
Not stated
-294
-2.4pp
Spanish
+55
+0.4pp
Mandarin
+40
+0.3pp
Italian
-20
-0.2pp
Hindi
+25
+0.2pp
German
+11
0.0pp
Portuguese
+31
+0.2pp
French
-1
0.0pp
Cantonese
-5
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Ashgrove. 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 | 11,984 | 89.0% | 71.6% | 11,484 | 88.2% | 71.8% | +500 | +0.8pp |
| Not stated | 300 | 2.2% | 4.4% | 594 | 4.6% | 5.8% | -294 | -2.4pp |
| Spanish | 137 | 1.0% | 1.1% | 82 | 0.6% | 0.9% | +55 | +0.4pp |
| Mandarin | 111 | 0.8% | 4.4% | 71 | 0.5% | 4.1% | +40 | +0.3pp |
| Italian | 84 | 0.6% | 0.6% | 104 | 0.8% | 0.7% | -20 | -0.2pp |
| Hindi | 66 | 0.5% | 0.9% | 41 | 0.3% | 0.9% | +25 | +0.2pp |
| German | 59 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 48 | 0.4% | 0.4% | +11 | 0.0pp |
| Portuguese | 55 | 0.4% | 0.4% | 24 | 0.2% | 0.3% | +31 | +0.2pp |
| French | 50 | 0.4% | 0.4% | 51 | 0.4% | 0.4% | -1 | 0.0pp |
| Cantonese | 43 | 0.3% | 1.5% | 48 | 0.4% | 1.5% | -5 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 13,468 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 13,016 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +452 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.