Cultural diversity
Language spoken at home
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.
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 East Brisbane, accounting for 75.3% (4,639 people). This share was higher than Brisbane (C) (71.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 338 people and 0.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
East Brisbane - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for East Brisbane in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Brisbane (C) and change since 2016.
This area boundary has changed from 2016 to 2021. As a result, 2016 values are mapped onto 2021 suburb boundaries using ABS concordance.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for East Brisbane, with comparison markers for Brisbane (C).
English
Not stated
Spanish
Mandarin
Italian
Cantonese
Nepali
Vietnamese
Portuguese
Greek
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+338
+0.8pp
Not stated
-63
-1.4pp
Spanish
+42
+0.6pp
Mandarin
+50
+0.7pp
Italian
+18
+0.2pp
Cantonese
+8
+0.1pp
Nepali
-6
-0.1pp
Vietnamese
-8
-0.2pp
Portuguese
-22
-0.5pp
Greek
-3
-0.1pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for East Brisbane. 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 | 4,639 | 75.3% | 71.6% | 4,301 | 74.5% | 71.8% | +338 | +0.8pp |
| Not stated | 367 | 6.0% | 4.4% | 430 | 7.4% | 5.8% | -63 | -1.4pp |
| Spanish | 146 | 2.4% | 1.1% | 104 | 1.8% | 0.9% | +42 | +0.6pp |
| Mandarin | 144 | 2.3% | 4.4% | 94 | 1.6% | 4.1% | +50 | +0.7pp |
| Italian | 77 | 1.2% | 0.6% | 59 | 1.0% | 0.7% | +18 | +0.2pp |
| Cantonese | 56 | 0.9% | 1.5% | 48 | 0.8% | 1.5% | +8 | +0.1pp |
| Nepali | 54 | 0.9% | 0.5% | 60 | 1.0% | 0.3% | -6 | -0.1pp |
| Vietnamese | 52 | 0.8% | 1.7% | 60 | 1.0% | 1.6% | -8 | -0.2pp |
| Portuguese | 51 | 0.8% | 0.4% | 73 | 1.3% | 0.3% | -22 | -0.5pp |
| Greek | 36 | 0.6% | 0.5% | 39 | 0.7% | 0.6% | -3 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 6,162 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,777 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +385 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.