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 Bellbowrie, accounting for 85.1% (4,661 people). This share was higher than Brisbane (C) (71.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Persian (excluding Dari), which increased by 16 people and 0.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Bellbowrie - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Bellbowrie in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Brisbane (C) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Bellbowrie, with comparison markers for Brisbane (C).
English
2021 count
4,661
% of total
85.1%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
4,661
85.1%
-0.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
97
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
97
1.8%
-0.9pp
Mandarin
2021 count
63
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
63
1.2%
+0.2pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
55
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
55
1.0%
0.0pp
Spanish
2021 count
54
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
54
1.0%
+0.2pp
Sinhalese
2021 count
45
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
45
0.8%
+0.2pp
French
2021 count
32
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
32
0.6%
-0.1pp
German
2021 count
30
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
30
0.5%
-0.3pp
Korean
2021 count
29
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
29
0.5%
-0.3pp
Russian
2021 count
28
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
28
0.5%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-15
-0.8pp
Not stated
-51
-0.9pp
Mandarin
+8
+0.2pp
Afrikaans
+3
0.0pp
Spanish
+13
+0.2pp
Sinhalese
+11
+0.2pp
French
-8
-0.1pp
German
-15
-0.3pp
Korean
-13
-0.3pp
Russian
+11
+0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Bellbowrie. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Brisbane (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Brisbane (C)% | Count | % | Brisbane (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 4,661 | 85.1% | 71.6% | 4,676 | 85.9% | 71.8% | -15 | -0.8pp |
| Not stated | 97 | 1.8% | 4.4% | 148 | 2.7% | 5.8% | -51 | -0.9pp |
| Mandarin | 63 | 1.2% | 4.4% | 55 | 1.0% | 4.1% | +8 | +0.2pp |
| Afrikaans | 55 | 1.0% | 0.3% | 52 | 1.0% | 0.2% | +3 | 0.0pp |
| Spanish | 54 | 1.0% | 1.1% | 41 | 0.8% | 0.9% | +13 | +0.2pp |
| Sinhalese | 45 | 0.8% | 0.4% | 34 | 0.6% | 0.3% | +11 | +0.2pp |
| French | 32 | 0.6% | 0.4% | 40 | 0.7% | 0.4% | -8 | -0.1pp |
| German | 30 | 0.5% | 0.3% | 45 | 0.8% | 0.4% | -15 | -0.3pp |
| Korean | 29 | 0.5% | 0.9% | 42 | 0.8% | 1.0% | -13 | -0.3pp |
| Russian | 28 | 0.5% | 0.2% | 17 | 0.3% | 0.2% | +11 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 5,474 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,442 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +32 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.