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 Clayfield, accounting for 79.2% (8,613 people). This share was higher than Brisbane (C) (71.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 423 people and 1.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Clayfield - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Clayfield 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 Clayfield, with comparison markers for Brisbane (C).
English
2021 count
8,613
% of total
79.2%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
8,613
79.2%
+1.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
392
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
-2.5pp
392
3.6%
-2.5pp
Nepali
2021 count
333
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
+2.3pp
333
3.1%
+2.3pp
Mandarin
2021 count
133
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
133
1.2%
0.0pp
Spanish
2021 count
105
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
105
1.0%
+0.3pp
Hindi
2021 count
84
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
84
0.8%
-0.3pp
Punjabi
2021 count
70
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
70
0.6%
-0.9pp
Cantonese
2021 count
70
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
70
0.6%
+0.1pp
Tagalog
2021 count
62
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
62
0.6%
+0.3pp
Italian
2021 count
59
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
59
0.5%
-0.4pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+423
+1.8pp
Not stated
-249
-2.5pp
Nepali
+249
+2.3pp
Mandarin
+2
0.0pp
Spanish
+29
+0.3pp
Hindi
-29
-0.3pp
Punjabi
-87
-0.9pp
Cantonese
+18
+0.1pp
Tagalog
+35
+0.3pp
Italian
-40
-0.4pp
Data table
Language used at home for Clayfield. 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 | 8,613 | 79.2% | 71.6% | 8,190 | 77.4% | 71.8% | +423 | +1.8pp |
| Not stated | 392 | 3.6% | 4.4% | 641 | 6.1% | 5.8% | -249 | -2.5pp |
| Nepali | 333 | 3.1% | 0.5% | 84 | 0.8% | 0.3% | +249 | +2.3pp |
| Mandarin | 133 | 1.2% | 4.4% | 131 | 1.2% | 4.1% | +2 | 0.0pp |
| Spanish | 105 | 1.0% | 1.1% | 76 | 0.7% | 0.9% | +29 | +0.3pp |
| Hindi | 84 | 0.8% | 0.9% | 113 | 1.1% | 0.9% | -29 | -0.3pp |
| Punjabi | 70 | 0.6% | 1.0% | 157 | 1.5% | 0.9% | -87 | -0.9pp |
| Cantonese | 70 | 0.6% | 1.5% | 52 | 0.5% | 1.5% | +18 | +0.1pp |
| Tagalog | 62 | 0.6% | 0.5% | 27 | 0.3% | 0.5% | +35 | +0.3pp |
| Italian | 59 | 0.5% | 0.6% | 99 | 0.9% | 0.7% | -40 | -0.4pp |
| Total | 10,880 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 10,581 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +299 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.