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 Petrie Terrace, accounting for 81.9% (943 people). This share was higher than Brisbane (C) (71.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 71 people and 3.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Petrie Terrace - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Petrie Terrace 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 Petrie Terrace, with comparison markers for Brisbane (C).
English
2021 count
943
% of total
81.9%
Change from 2016
+3.3pp
943
81.9%
+3.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
67
% of total
5.8%
Change from 2016
-2.8pp
67
5.8%
-2.8pp
Spanish
2021 count
23
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
23
2.0%
-1.4pp
French
2021 count
19
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-
19
1.7%
-
Mandarin
2021 count
15
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
15
1.3%
-0.1pp
Portuguese
2021 count
12
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
12
1.0%
-0.4pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+71
+3.3pp
Not stated
-28
-2.8pp
Spanish
-15
-1.4pp
Mandarin
0
-0.1pp
Portuguese
-4
-0.4pp
Data table
Language used at home for Petrie Terrace. 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 | 943 | 81.9% | 71.6% | 872 | 78.6% | 71.8% | +71 | +3.3pp |
| Not stated | 67 | 5.8% | 4.4% | 95 | 8.6% | 5.8% | -28 | -2.8pp |
| Spanish | 23 | 2.0% | 1.1% | 38 | 3.4% | 0.9% | -15 | -1.4pp |
| French | 19 | 1.7% | 0.4% | - | - | 0.4% | - | - |
| Mandarin | 15 | 1.3% | 4.4% | 15 | 1.4% | 4.1% | 0 | -0.1pp |
| Portuguese | 12 | 1.0% | 0.4% | 16 | 1.4% | 0.3% | -4 | -0.4pp |
| Total | 1,151 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,109 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +42 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.