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 Stretton, accounting for 34.5% (1,620 people). This share was lower than Brisbane (C) (71.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 152 people and 0.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Stretton - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Stretton 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 Stretton, with comparison markers for Brisbane (C).
English
2021 count
1,620
% of total
34.5%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
1,620
34.5%
+0.4pp
Mandarin
2021 count
1,150
% of total
24.5%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
1,150
24.5%
-0.2pp
Cantonese
2021 count
464
% of total
9.9%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
464
9.9%
-0.2pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
140
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
140
3.0%
-0.7pp
Hindi
2021 count
117
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
117
2.5%
-0.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
117
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
117
2.5%
-1.2pp
Korean
2021 count
100
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
100
2.1%
+0.4pp
Arabic
2021 count
97
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
97
2.1%
+0.5pp
Punjabi
2021 count
93
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
93
2.0%
+0.7pp
Urdu
2021 count
84
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
84
1.8%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+152
+0.4pp
Mandarin
+90
-0.2pp
Cantonese
+30
-0.2pp
Vietnamese
-17
-0.7pp
Hindi
-8
-0.4pp
Not stated
-44
-1.2pp
Korean
+29
+0.4pp
Arabic
+29
+0.5pp
Punjabi
+37
+0.7pp
Urdu
+6
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Stretton. 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 | 1,620 | 34.5% | 71.6% | 1,468 | 34.1% | 71.8% | +152 | +0.4pp |
| Mandarin | 1,150 | 24.5% | 4.4% | 1,060 | 24.7% | 4.1% | +90 | -0.2pp |
| Cantonese | 464 | 9.9% | 1.5% | 434 | 10.1% | 1.5% | +30 | -0.2pp |
| Vietnamese | 140 | 3.0% | 1.7% | 157 | 3.7% | 1.6% | -17 | -0.7pp |
| Hindi | 117 | 2.5% | 0.9% | 125 | 2.9% | 0.9% | -8 | -0.4pp |
| Not stated | 117 | 2.5% | 4.4% | 161 | 3.7% | 5.8% | -44 | -1.2pp |
| Korean | 100 | 2.1% | 0.9% | 71 | 1.7% | 1.0% | +29 | +0.4pp |
| Arabic | 97 | 2.1% | 0.6% | 68 | 1.6% | 0.6% | +29 | +0.5pp |
| Punjabi | 93 | 2.0% | 1.0% | 56 | 1.3% | 0.9% | +37 | +0.7pp |
| Urdu | 84 | 1.8% | 0.3% | 78 | 1.8% | 0.2% | +6 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 4,697 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,299 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +398 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.