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 Edmonton, accounting for 78.8% (8,991 people). This share was higher than Cairns (R) (76.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Hmong, which increased by 57 people and 0.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Edmonton - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Edmonton in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cairns (R) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Edmonton, with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
English
2021 count
8,991
% of total
78.8%
Change from 2016
-4.8pp
8,991
78.8%
-4.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,167
% of total
10.2%
Change from 2016
+3.3pp
1,167
10.2%
+3.3pp
Hmong
2021 count
226
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
226
2.0%
+0.4pp
Japanese
2021 count
90
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
90
0.8%
+0.2pp
Maori (Cook Island)
2021 count
77
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
77
0.7%
+0.2pp
Punjabi
2021 count
76
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
76
0.7%
+0.2pp
Creole, nfd
2021 count
70
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
70
0.6%
+0.2pp
Yumplatok (Torres Strait Creole)
2021 count
63
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
63
0.6%
+0.2pp
Italian
2021 count
50
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
50
0.4%
-0.3pp
Tagalog
2021 count
46
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
46
0.4%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+26
-4.8pp
Not stated
+431
+3.3pp
Hmong
+57
+0.4pp
Japanese
+25
+0.2pp
Maori (Cook Island)
+22
+0.2pp
Punjabi
+27
+0.2pp
Creole, nfd
+29
+0.2pp
Yumplatok (Torres Strait Creole)
+22
+0.2pp
Italian
-20
-0.3pp
Tagalog
+18
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Edmonton. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Cairns (R).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Cairns (R)% | Count | % | Cairns (R)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 8,991 | 78.8% | 76.8% | 8,965 | 83.6% | 77.7% | +26 | -4.8pp |
| Not stated | 1,167 | 10.2% | 9.2% | 736 | 6.9% | 9.1% | +431 | +3.3pp |
| Hmong | 226 | 2.0% | 0.4% | 169 | 1.6% | 0.4% | +57 | +0.4pp |
| Japanese | 90 | 0.8% | 1.4% | 65 | 0.6% | 1.5% | +25 | +0.2pp |
| Maori (Cook Island) | 77 | 0.7% | 0.2% | 55 | 0.5% | 0.2% | +22 | +0.2pp |
| Punjabi | 76 | 0.7% | 0.6% | 49 | 0.5% | 0.5% | +27 | +0.2pp |
| Creole, nfd | 70 | 0.6% | 0.6% | 41 | 0.4% | 0.6% | +29 | +0.2pp |
| Yumplatok (Torres Strait Creole) | 63 | 0.6% | 0.5% | 41 | 0.4% | 0.4% | +22 | +0.2pp |
| Italian | 50 | 0.4% | 0.6% | 70 | 0.7% | 0.7% | -20 | -0.3pp |
| Tagalog | 46 | 0.4% | 0.5% | 28 | 0.3% | 0.5% | +18 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 11,406 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 10,724 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +682 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.