Cultural diversity
Language spoken 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 Teneriffe, accounting for 83.9% (4,634 people). This share was higher than Brisbane (C) (71.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 499 people and 6.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Teneriffe - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Teneriffe 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 Teneriffe, with comparison markers for Brisbane (C).
English
Not stated
Spanish
Italian
Mandarin
French
Greek
Portuguese
Cantonese
Persian (excluding Dari)
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+499
+6.6pp
Not stated
-347
-6.7pp
Spanish
+3
0.0pp
Italian
+13
+0.2pp
Mandarin
-17
-0.4pp
French
-9
-0.2pp
Greek
+11
+0.2pp
Portuguese
+10
+0.2pp
Cantonese
+4
+0.1pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
+3
0.0pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Teneriffe. 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 | 4,634 | 83.9% | 71.6% | 4,135 | 77.3% | 71.8% | +499 | +6.6pp |
| Not stated | 299 | 5.4% | 4.4% | 646 | 12.1% | 5.8% | -347 | -6.7pp |
| Spanish | 83 | 1.5% | 1.1% | 80 | 1.5% | 0.9% | +3 | 0.0pp |
| Italian | 60 | 1.1% | 0.6% | 47 | 0.9% | 0.7% | +13 | +0.2pp |
| Mandarin | 46 | 0.8% | 4.4% | 63 | 1.2% | 4.1% | -17 | -0.4pp |
| French | 37 | 0.7% | 0.4% | 46 | 0.9% | 0.4% | -9 | -0.2pp |
| Greek | 28 | 0.5% | 0.5% | 17 | 0.3% | 0.6% | +11 | +0.2pp |
| Portuguese | 27 | 0.5% | 0.4% | 17 | 0.3% | 0.3% | +10 | +0.2pp |
| Cantonese | 26 | 0.5% | 1.5% | 22 | 0.4% | 1.5% | +4 | +0.1pp |
| Persian (excluding Dari) | 24 | 0.4% | 0.4% | 21 | 0.4% | 0.4% | +3 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 5,522 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,351 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +171 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.