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 Unincorporated ACT, accounting for 71.3% (323,454 people). This share was similar to Australian Capital Territory (71.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 34,818 people, while its share fell by 1.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Unincorporated ACT - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Unincorporated ACT in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Australian Capital Territory and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Unincorporated ACT, with comparison markers for Australian Capital Territory.
English
2021 count
323,454
% of total
71.3%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
323,454
71.3%
-1.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
18,854
% of total
4.2%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
18,854
4.2%
-1.3pp
Mandarin
2021 count
14,391
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
14,391
3.2%
+0.1pp
Nepali
2021 count
5,852
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
5,852
1.3%
+1.1pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
5,029
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
5,029
1.1%
0.0pp
Punjabi
2021 count
5,014
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
5,014
1.1%
+0.5pp
Hindi
2021 count
4,765
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
4,765
1.0%
+0.1pp
Cantonese
2021 count
4,225
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
4,225
0.9%
-0.1pp
Spanish
2021 count
4,116
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
4,116
0.9%
+0.1pp
Arabic
2021 count
3,865
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
3,865
0.9%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+34,818
-1.4pp
Not stated
-2,783
-1.3pp
Mandarin
+1,994
+0.1pp
Nepali
+4,984
+1.1pp
Vietnamese
+818
0.0pp
Punjabi
+2,801
+0.5pp
Hindi
+1,122
+0.1pp
Cantonese
+377
-0.1pp
Spanish
+847
+0.1pp
Arabic
+838
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Unincorporated ACT. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Australian Capital Territory.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Australian Capital Territory% | Count | % | Australian Capital Territory% | Count | pp | |
| English | 323,454 | 71.3% | 71.3% | 288,636 | 72.7% | 72.7% | +34,818 | -1.4pp |
| Not stated | 18,854 | 4.2% | 4.2% | 21,637 | 5.5% | 5.5% | -2,783 | -1.3pp |
| Mandarin | 14,391 | 3.2% | 3.2% | 12,397 | 3.1% | 3.1% | +1,994 | +0.1pp |
| Nepali | 5,852 | 1.3% | 1.3% | 868 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +4,984 | +1.1pp |
| Vietnamese | 5,029 | 1.1% | 1.1% | 4,211 | 1.1% | 1.1% | +818 | 0.0pp |
| Punjabi | 5,014 | 1.1% | 1.1% | 2,213 | 0.6% | 0.6% | +2,801 | +0.5pp |
| Hindi | 4,765 | 1.0% | 1.0% | 3,643 | 0.9% | 0.9% | +1,122 | +0.1pp |
| Cantonese | 4,225 | 0.9% | 0.9% | 3,848 | 1.0% | 1.0% | +377 | -0.1pp |
| Spanish | 4,116 | 0.9% | 0.9% | 3,269 | 0.8% | 0.8% | +847 | +0.1pp |
| Arabic | 3,865 | 0.9% | 0.9% | 3,027 | 0.8% | 0.8% | +838 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 453,851 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 396,853 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +56,998 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.