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 Cannon Hill, accounting for 80.7% (5,421 people). This share was higher than Brisbane (C) (71.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,093 people and 1.7 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Cannon Hill - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises language used at home for Cannon Hill 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 Cannon Hill, with comparison markers for Brisbane (C).

Cannon Hill
Brisbane (C)

English

2021 count

5,421

% of total

80.7%

Change from 2016

+1.7pp

Not stated

2021 count

268

% of total

4.0%

Change from 2016

-3.7pp

Mandarin

2021 count

131

% of total

2.0%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Spanish

2021 count

95

% of total

1.4%

Change from 2016

+0.6pp

Hindi

2021 count

60

% of total

0.9%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Cantonese

2021 count

49

% of total

0.7%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Portuguese

2021 count

45

% of total

0.7%

Change from 2016

+0.3pp

Korean

2021 count

35

% of total

0.5%

Change from 2016

-0.3pp

Gujarati

2021 count

33

% of total

0.5%

Change from 2016

+0.3pp

Punjabi

2021 count

32

% of total

0.5%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Data table

Language used at home for Cannon Hill. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Brisbane (C).

Language used at home for Cannon Hill. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Brisbane (C).
Language used at home for Cannon Hill. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Brisbane (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Brisbane (C)%Count%Brisbane (C)%Countpp
English5,42180.7%71.6%4,32879.0%71.8%+1,093+1.7pp
Not stated2684.0%4.4%4207.7%5.8%-152-3.7pp
Mandarin1312.0%4.4%1172.1%4.1%+14-0.1pp
Spanish951.4%1.1%430.8%0.9%+52+0.6pp
Hindi600.9%0.9%360.7%0.9%+24+0.2pp
Cantonese490.7%1.5%290.5%1.5%+20+0.2pp
Portuguese450.7%0.4%210.4%0.3%+24+0.3pp
Korean350.5%0.9%420.8%1.0%-7-0.3pp
Gujarati330.5%0.5%100.2%0.3%+23+0.3pp
Punjabi320.5%1.0%220.4%0.9%+10+0.1pp
Total6,715100.0%100.0%5,478100.0%100.0%+1,2370.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.