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 Milton (Qld), accounting for 73.3% (2,281 people). This share was higher than Brisbane (C) (71.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 669 people and 1.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Milton (Qld) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Milton (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 Milton (Qld), with comparison markers for Brisbane (C).
English
2021 count
2,281
% of total
73.3%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
2,281
73.3%
+1.2pp
Mandarin
2021 count
153
% of total
4.9%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
153
4.9%
+0.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
103
% of total
3.3%
Change from 2016
-5.9pp
103
3.3%
-5.9pp
Spanish
2021 count
86
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
86
2.8%
+1.3pp
Hindi
2021 count
37
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
37
1.2%
0.0pp
Arabic
2021 count
36
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
36
1.2%
+0.2pp
Portuguese
2021 count
33
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
33
1.1%
+0.4pp
Korean
2021 count
32
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
32
1.0%
+0.5pp
Cantonese
2021 count
24
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
24
0.8%
-0.3pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
2021 count
23
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
23
0.7%
+0.4pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+669
+1.2pp
Mandarin
+48
+0.2pp
Not stated
-102
-5.9pp
Spanish
+52
+1.3pp
Hindi
+10
0.0pp
Arabic
+14
+0.2pp
Portuguese
+17
+0.4pp
Korean
+21
+0.5pp
Cantonese
-1
-0.3pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
+16
+0.4pp
Data table
Language used at home for Milton (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 | 2,281 | 73.3% | 71.6% | 1,612 | 72.1% | 71.8% | +669 | +1.2pp |
| Mandarin | 153 | 4.9% | 4.4% | 105 | 4.7% | 4.1% | +48 | +0.2pp |
| Not stated | 103 | 3.3% | 4.4% | 205 | 9.2% | 5.8% | -102 | -5.9pp |
| Spanish | 86 | 2.8% | 1.1% | 34 | 1.5% | 0.9% | +52 | +1.3pp |
| Hindi | 37 | 1.2% | 0.9% | 27 | 1.2% | 0.9% | +10 | 0.0pp |
| Arabic | 36 | 1.2% | 0.6% | 22 | 1.0% | 0.6% | +14 | +0.2pp |
| Portuguese | 33 | 1.1% | 0.4% | 16 | 0.7% | 0.3% | +17 | +0.4pp |
| Korean | 32 | 1.0% | 0.9% | 11 | 0.5% | 1.0% | +21 | +0.5pp |
| Cantonese | 24 | 0.8% | 1.5% | 25 | 1.1% | 1.5% | -1 | -0.3pp |
| Persian (excluding Dari) | 23 | 0.7% | 0.4% | 7 | 0.3% | 0.4% | +16 | +0.4pp |
| Total | 3,113 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,236 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +877 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.