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 Brighton (Qld), accounting for 92.6% (8,914 people). This share was higher than Brisbane (C) (71.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 352 people and 2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Brighton (Qld) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Brighton (Qld) 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 Brighton (Qld), with comparison markers for Brisbane (C).
English
2021 count
8,914
% of total
92.6%
Change from 2016
+2.0pp
8,914
92.6%
+2.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
283
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
283
2.9%
-2.0pp
German
2021 count
41
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
41
0.4%
0.0pp
Dutch
2021 count
27
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
27
0.3%
+0.1pp
French
2021 count
26
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
26
0.3%
-0.1pp
Italian
2021 count
26
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
26
0.3%
0.0pp
Tagalog
2021 count
23
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
23
0.2%
0.0pp
Cantonese
2021 count
21
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
21
0.2%
0.0pp
Greek
2021 count
19
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
19
0.2%
+0.1pp
Spanish
2021 count
19
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
19
0.2%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+352
+2.0pp
Not stated
-176
-2.0pp
German
-1
0.0pp
Dutch
+9
+0.1pp
French
-14
-0.1pp
Italian
-1
0.0pp
Tagalog
+1
0.0pp
Cantonese
+6
0.0pp
Greek
+5
+0.1pp
Spanish
+9
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Brighton (Qld). 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 | 8,914 | 92.6% | 71.6% | 8,562 | 90.6% | 71.8% | +352 | +2.0pp |
| Not stated | 283 | 2.9% | 4.4% | 459 | 4.9% | 5.8% | -176 | -2.0pp |
| German | 41 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 42 | 0.4% | 0.4% | -1 | 0.0pp |
| Dutch | 27 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 18 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +9 | +0.1pp |
| French | 26 | 0.3% | 0.4% | 40 | 0.4% | 0.4% | -14 | -0.1pp |
| Italian | 26 | 0.3% | 0.6% | 27 | 0.3% | 0.7% | -1 | 0.0pp |
| Tagalog | 23 | 0.2% | 0.5% | 22 | 0.2% | 0.5% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Cantonese | 21 | 0.2% | 1.5% | 15 | 0.2% | 1.5% | +6 | 0.0pp |
| Greek | 19 | 0.2% | 0.5% | 14 | 0.1% | 0.6% | +5 | +0.1pp |
| Spanish | 19 | 0.2% | 1.1% | 10 | 0.1% | 0.9% | +9 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 9,628 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 9,449 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +179 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.