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 Denmark (S), accounting for 87% (5,481 people). This share was higher than Regional WA (80.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 410 people and 0.3 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Denmark (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises language used at home for Denmark (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional WA and change since 2016.

Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Denmark (S), with comparison markers for Regional WA.

Denmark (S)
Regional WA

English

2021 count

5,481

% of total

87.0%

Change from 2016

+0.3pp

Not stated

2021 count

587

% of total

9.3%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

German

2021 count

63

% of total

1.0%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Vietnamese

2021 count

19

% of total

0.3%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Mandarin

2021 count

16

% of total

0.3%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

French

2021 count

14

% of total

0.2%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Dutch

2021 count

12

% of total

0.2%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Spanish

2021 count

12

% of total

0.2%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Italian

2021 count

12

% of total

0.2%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Indonesian

2021 count

12

% of total

0.2%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Data table

Language used at home for Denmark (S). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional WA.

Language used at home for Denmark (S). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional WA.
Language used at home for Denmark (S). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional WA.
Category20212016Change
Count%Regional WA%Count%Regional WA%Countpp
English5,48187.0%80.9%5,07186.7%81.7%+410+0.3pp
Not stated5879.3%10.5%5409.2%10.0%+47+0.1pp
German631.0%0.3%581.0%0.3%+50.0pp
Vietnamese190.3%0.2%140.2%0.2%+5+0.1pp
Mandarin160.3%0.4%80.1%0.4%+8+0.2pp
French140.2%0.2%190.3%0.2%-5-0.1pp
Dutch120.2%0.1%140.2%0.2%-20.0pp
Spanish120.2%0.2%120.2%0.1%00.0pp
Italian120.2%0.4%120.2%0.5%00.0pp
Indonesian120.2%0.1%60.1%0.2%+6+0.1pp
Total6,301100.0%100.0%5,849100.0%100.0%+4520.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.