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 Newmarket, accounting for 79.4% (4,031 people). This share was higher than Brisbane (C) (71.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 103 people.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Newmarket - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Newmarket 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 Newmarket, with comparison markers for Brisbane (C).
English
2021 count
4,031
% of total
79.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
4,031
79.4%
0.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
239
% of total
4.7%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
239
4.7%
-2.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
66
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
66
1.3%
-0.1pp
Italian
2021 count
63
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
63
1.2%
+0.5pp
Nepali
2021 count
63
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
63
1.2%
+0.1pp
Spanish
2021 count
53
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
53
1.0%
-0.3pp
Other Southern Asian Languages
2021 count
36
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
36
0.7%
+0.4pp
Cantonese
2021 count
34
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
34
0.7%
+0.1pp
Portuguese
2021 count
31
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
31
0.6%
+0.2pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
29
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
29
0.6%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+103
0.0pp
Not stated
-96
-2.1pp
Mandarin
-5
-0.1pp
Italian
+29
+0.5pp
Nepali
+10
+0.1pp
Spanish
-9
-0.3pp
Other Southern Asian Languages
+22
+0.4pp
Cantonese
+2
+0.1pp
Portuguese
+11
+0.2pp
Vietnamese
+8
+0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Newmarket. 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 | 4,031 | 79.4% | 71.6% | 3,928 | 79.4% | 71.8% | +103 | 0.0pp |
| Not stated | 239 | 4.7% | 4.4% | 335 | 6.8% | 5.8% | -96 | -2.1pp |
| Mandarin | 66 | 1.3% | 4.4% | 71 | 1.4% | 4.1% | -5 | -0.1pp |
| Italian | 63 | 1.2% | 0.6% | 34 | 0.7% | 0.7% | +29 | +0.5pp |
| Nepali | 63 | 1.2% | 0.5% | 53 | 1.1% | 0.3% | +10 | +0.1pp |
| Spanish | 53 | 1.0% | 1.1% | 62 | 1.3% | 0.9% | -9 | -0.3pp |
| Other Southern Asian Languages | 36 | 0.7% | 0.1% | 14 | 0.3% | 0.0% | +22 | +0.4pp |
| Cantonese | 34 | 0.7% | 1.5% | 32 | 0.6% | 1.5% | +2 | +0.1pp |
| Portuguese | 31 | 0.6% | 0.4% | 20 | 0.4% | 0.3% | +11 | +0.2pp |
| Vietnamese | 29 | 0.6% | 1.7% | 21 | 0.4% | 1.6% | +8 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 5,076 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,946 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +130 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.