Cultural diversity
Language spoken at home
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.
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 spoken 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
Not stated
Spanish
Mandarin
Portuguese
Korean
Cantonese
Hindi
Arabic
Italian
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 spoken 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.