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 Boondall, accounting for 76.8% (7,373 people). This share was higher than Brisbane (C) (71.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 286 people, while its share fell by 0.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Boondall - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Boondall 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 Boondall, with comparison markers for Brisbane (C).
English
2021 count
7,373
% of total
76.8%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
7,373
76.8%
-0.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
360
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
360
3.7%
+0.5pp
Punjabi
2021 count
244
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
244
2.5%
-0.2pp
Cantonese
2021 count
114
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
114
1.2%
+0.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
111
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
111
1.2%
0.0pp
Hindi
2021 count
108
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
108
1.1%
-0.1pp
Italian
2021 count
97
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
97
1.0%
-0.2pp
Tagalog
2021 count
89
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
89
0.9%
0.0pp
Spanish
2021 count
73
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
73
0.8%
+0.3pp
Samoan
2021 count
71
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
71
0.7%
-0.4pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+286
-0.1pp
Not stated
+63
+0.5pp
Punjabi
-2
-0.2pp
Cantonese
+8
+0.1pp
Mandarin
+4
0.0pp
Hindi
-2
-0.1pp
Italian
-11
-0.2pp
Tagalog
+10
0.0pp
Spanish
+27
+0.3pp
Samoan
-27
-0.4pp
Data table
Language used at home for Boondall. 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 | 7,373 | 76.8% | 71.6% | 7,087 | 76.9% | 71.8% | +286 | -0.1pp |
| Not stated | 360 | 3.7% | 4.4% | 297 | 3.2% | 5.8% | +63 | +0.5pp |
| Punjabi | 244 | 2.5% | 1.0% | 246 | 2.7% | 0.9% | -2 | -0.2pp |
| Cantonese | 114 | 1.2% | 1.5% | 106 | 1.1% | 1.5% | +8 | +0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 111 | 1.2% | 4.4% | 107 | 1.2% | 4.1% | +4 | 0.0pp |
| Hindi | 108 | 1.1% | 0.9% | 110 | 1.2% | 0.9% | -2 | -0.1pp |
| Italian | 97 | 1.0% | 0.6% | 108 | 1.2% | 0.7% | -11 | -0.2pp |
| Tagalog | 89 | 0.9% | 0.5% | 79 | 0.9% | 0.5% | +10 | 0.0pp |
| Spanish | 73 | 0.8% | 1.1% | 46 | 0.5% | 0.9% | +27 | +0.3pp |
| Samoan | 71 | 0.7% | 0.3% | 98 | 1.1% | 0.3% | -27 | -0.4pp |
| Total | 9,602 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 9,219 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +383 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.