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 Mount Cotton, accounting for 92.3% (6,754 people). This share was higher than Redland (C) (88.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 501 people and 0.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Mount Cotton - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Mount Cotton in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Redland (C) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Mount Cotton, with comparison markers for Redland (C).
English
2021 count
6,754
% of total
92.3%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
6,754
92.3%
+0.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
130
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
130
1.8%
-1.3pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
83
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
83
1.1%
-0.1pp
German
2021 count
30
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
30
0.4%
+0.1pp
Spanish
2021 count
26
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
26
0.4%
-0.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
23
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
23
0.3%
+0.2pp
Russian
2021 count
22
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
22
0.3%
+0.2pp
Punjabi
2021 count
18
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
18
0.2%
0.0pp
Japanese
2021 count
16
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
16
0.2%
+0.1pp
French
2021 count
15
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
15
0.2%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+501
+0.4pp
Not stated
-78
-1.3pp
Afrikaans
0
-0.1pp
German
+8
+0.1pp
Spanish
-10
-0.1pp
Mandarin
+14
+0.2pp
Russian
+13
+0.2pp
Punjabi
+6
0.0pp
Japanese
+7
+0.1pp
French
-2
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Mount Cotton. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Redland (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Redland (C)% | Count | % | Redland (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 6,754 | 92.3% | 88.9% | 6,253 | 91.9% | 88.9% | +501 | +0.4pp |
| Not stated | 130 | 1.8% | 3.6% | 208 | 3.1% | 4.4% | -78 | -1.3pp |
| Afrikaans | 83 | 1.1% | 0.6% | 83 | 1.2% | 0.5% | 0 | -0.1pp |
| German | 30 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 22 | 0.3% | 0.4% | +8 | +0.1pp |
| Spanish | 26 | 0.4% | 0.4% | 36 | 0.5% | 0.3% | -10 | -0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 23 | 0.3% | 0.6% | 9 | 0.1% | 0.5% | +14 | +0.2pp |
| Russian | 22 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 9 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +13 | +0.2pp |
| Punjabi | 18 | 0.2% | 0.4% | 12 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +6 | 0.0pp |
| Japanese | 16 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 9 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +7 | +0.1pp |
| French | 15 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 17 | 0.2% | 0.2% | -2 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 7,319 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,807 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +512 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.