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 Bulimba, accounting for 84.4% (6,429 people). This share was higher than Brisbane (C) (71.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 757 people and 2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Bulimba - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Bulimba 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 Bulimba, with comparison markers for Brisbane (C).
English
2021 count
6,429
% of total
84.4%
Change from 2016
+2.0pp
6,429
84.4%
+2.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
293
% of total
3.8%
Change from 2016
-3.8pp
293
3.8%
-3.8pp
Spanish
2021 count
122
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
122
1.6%
+0.7pp
Portuguese
2021 count
91
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
91
1.2%
+0.6pp
Mandarin
2021 count
78
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
78
1.0%
+0.1pp
German
2021 count
55
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
55
0.7%
0.0pp
French
2021 count
45
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
45
0.6%
0.0pp
Italian
2021 count
42
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
42
0.6%
-0.1pp
Russian
2021 count
35
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
35
0.5%
+0.1pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
34
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
34
0.4%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+757
+2.0pp
Not stated
-233
-3.8pp
Spanish
+57
+0.7pp
Portuguese
+52
+0.6pp
Mandarin
+19
+0.1pp
German
+10
0.0pp
French
+7
0.0pp
Italian
-6
-0.1pp
Russian
+5
+0.1pp
Afrikaans
+2
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Bulimba. 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 | 6,429 | 84.4% | 71.6% | 5,672 | 82.4% | 71.8% | +757 | +2.0pp |
| Not stated | 293 | 3.8% | 4.4% | 526 | 7.6% | 5.8% | -233 | -3.8pp |
| Spanish | 122 | 1.6% | 1.1% | 65 | 0.9% | 0.9% | +57 | +0.7pp |
| Portuguese | 91 | 1.2% | 0.4% | 39 | 0.6% | 0.3% | +52 | +0.6pp |
| Mandarin | 78 | 1.0% | 4.4% | 59 | 0.9% | 4.1% | +19 | +0.1pp |
| German | 55 | 0.7% | 0.3% | 45 | 0.7% | 0.4% | +10 | 0.0pp |
| French | 45 | 0.6% | 0.4% | 38 | 0.6% | 0.4% | +7 | 0.0pp |
| Italian | 42 | 0.6% | 0.6% | 48 | 0.7% | 0.7% | -6 | -0.1pp |
| Russian | 35 | 0.5% | 0.2% | 30 | 0.4% | 0.2% | +5 | +0.1pp |
| Afrikaans | 34 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 32 | 0.5% | 0.2% | +2 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 7,615 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,881 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +734 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.