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 Stafford, accounting for 82.7% (5,721 people). This share was higher than Brisbane (C) (71.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 318 people.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Stafford - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Stafford 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 Stafford, with comparison markers for Brisbane (C).
English
Not stated
Mandarin
Italian
Hindi
Spanish
Cantonese
Filipino
Persian (excluding Dari)
Japanese
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+318
0.0pp
Not stated
+97
+1.2pp
Mandarin
+4
0.0pp
Italian
-28
-0.4pp
Hindi
+22
+0.3pp
Spanish
-25
-0.5pp
Cantonese
+10
+0.2pp
Filipino
+13
+0.2pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
+9
+0.1pp
Japanese
+9
+0.1pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Stafford. 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 | 5,721 | 82.7% | 71.6% | 5,403 | 82.7% | 71.8% | +318 | 0.0pp |
| Not stated | 426 | 6.2% | 4.4% | 329 | 5.0% | 5.8% | +97 | +1.2pp |
| Mandarin | 68 | 1.0% | 4.4% | 64 | 1.0% | 4.1% | +4 | 0.0pp |
| Italian | 59 | 0.9% | 0.6% | 87 | 1.3% | 0.7% | -28 | -0.4pp |
| Hindi | 45 | 0.7% | 0.9% | 23 | 0.4% | 0.9% | +22 | +0.3pp |
| Spanish | 44 | 0.6% | 1.1% | 69 | 1.1% | 0.9% | -25 | -0.5pp |
| Cantonese | 39 | 0.6% | 1.5% | 29 | 0.4% | 1.5% | +10 | +0.2pp |
| Filipino | 33 | 0.5% | 0.3% | 20 | 0.3% | 0.3% | +13 | +0.2pp |
| Persian (excluding Dari) | 30 | 0.4% | 0.4% | 21 | 0.3% | 0.4% | +9 | +0.1pp |
| Japanese | 28 | 0.4% | 0.5% | 19 | 0.3% | 0.5% | +9 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 6,921 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,537 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +384 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.