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 City Beach, accounting for 84.3% (5,736 people). This share was higher than Cambridge (T) (82.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 264 people and 1.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
City Beach - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for City Beach in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cambridge (T) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for City Beach, with comparison markers for Cambridge (T).
English
2021 count
5,736
% of total
84.3%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
5,736
84.3%
+1.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
204
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
204
3.0%
-1.4pp
Italian
2021 count
102
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
102
1.5%
0.0pp
Mandarin
2021 count
84
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
84
1.2%
-0.1pp
Greek
2021 count
75
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
75
1.1%
-0.1pp
German
2021 count
68
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
68
1.0%
0.0pp
Cantonese
2021 count
46
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
46
0.7%
+0.1pp
Spanish
2021 count
40
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
40
0.6%
+0.1pp
French
2021 count
38
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
38
0.6%
-0.2pp
Hindi
2021 count
34
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
34
0.5%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+264
+1.5pp
Not stated
-86
-1.4pp
Italian
+1
0.0pp
Mandarin
-4
-0.1pp
Greek
-4
-0.1pp
German
-1
0.0pp
Cantonese
+6
+0.1pp
Spanish
+8
+0.1pp
French
-16
-0.2pp
Hindi
+10
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for City Beach. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Cambridge (T).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Cambridge (T)% | Count | % | Cambridge (T)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 5,736 | 84.3% | 82.5% | 5,472 | 82.8% | 81.1% | +264 | +1.5pp |
| Not stated | 204 | 3.0% | 3.0% | 290 | 4.4% | 5.1% | -86 | -1.4pp |
| Italian | 102 | 1.5% | 1.3% | 101 | 1.5% | 1.4% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Mandarin | 84 | 1.2% | 2.3% | 88 | 1.3% | 1.8% | -4 | -0.1pp |
| Greek | 75 | 1.1% | 0.6% | 79 | 1.2% | 0.8% | -4 | -0.1pp |
| German | 68 | 1.0% | 0.6% | 69 | 1.0% | 0.6% | -1 | 0.0pp |
| Cantonese | 46 | 0.7% | 0.8% | 40 | 0.6% | 0.6% | +6 | +0.1pp |
| Spanish | 40 | 0.6% | 0.7% | 32 | 0.5% | 0.6% | +8 | +0.1pp |
| French | 38 | 0.6% | 0.7% | 54 | 0.8% | 0.9% | -16 | -0.2pp |
| Hindi | 34 | 0.5% | 0.3% | 24 | 0.4% | 0.4% | +10 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 6,805 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,609 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +196 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.