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 Bowen Hills, accounting for 64.4% (3,136 people). This share was lower than Brisbane (C) (71.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,231 people and 5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Bowen Hills - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Bowen Hills 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 Bowen Hills, with comparison markers for Brisbane (C).
English
2021 count
3,136
% of total
64.4%
Change from 2016
+5.0pp
3,136
64.4%
+5.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
421
% of total
8.6%
Change from 2016
-5.7pp
421
8.6%
-5.7pp
Spanish
2021 count
241
% of total
4.9%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
241
4.9%
+1.8pp
Mandarin
2021 count
177
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
177
3.6%
-1.0pp
Portuguese
2021 count
107
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
107
2.2%
+0.9pp
Korean
2021 count
61
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
61
1.3%
-0.8pp
Cantonese
2021 count
53
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
53
1.1%
-0.5pp
Hindi
2021 count
51
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
51
1.0%
-0.1pp
Arabic
2021 count
48
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
48
1.0%
0.0pp
Italian
2021 count
42
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
42
0.9%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,231
+5.0pp
Not stated
-38
-5.7pp
Spanish
+142
+1.8pp
Mandarin
+30
-1.0pp
Portuguese
+64
+0.9pp
Korean
-6
-0.8pp
Cantonese
+3
-0.5pp
Hindi
+17
-0.1pp
Arabic
+17
0.0pp
Italian
+20
+0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Bowen Hills. 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 | 3,136 | 64.4% | 71.6% | 1,905 | 59.4% | 71.8% | +1,231 | +5.0pp |
| Not stated | 421 | 8.6% | 4.4% | 459 | 14.3% | 5.8% | -38 | -5.7pp |
| Spanish | 241 | 4.9% | 1.1% | 99 | 3.1% | 0.9% | +142 | +1.8pp |
| Mandarin | 177 | 3.6% | 4.4% | 147 | 4.6% | 4.1% | +30 | -1.0pp |
| Portuguese | 107 | 2.2% | 0.4% | 43 | 1.3% | 0.3% | +64 | +0.9pp |
| Korean | 61 | 1.3% | 0.9% | 67 | 2.1% | 1.0% | -6 | -0.8pp |
| Cantonese | 53 | 1.1% | 1.5% | 50 | 1.6% | 1.5% | +3 | -0.5pp |
| Hindi | 51 | 1.0% | 0.9% | 34 | 1.1% | 0.9% | +17 | -0.1pp |
| Arabic | 48 | 1.0% | 0.6% | 31 | 1.0% | 0.6% | +17 | 0.0pp |
| Italian | 42 | 0.9% | 0.6% | 22 | 0.7% | 0.7% | +20 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 4,873 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,206 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,667 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.