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 Calamvale, accounting for 36.7% (6,593 people). This share was lower than Brisbane (C) (71.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Punjabi, which increased by 247 people and 1.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Calamvale - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Calamvale 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 Calamvale, with comparison markers for Brisbane (C).
English
2021 count
6,593
% of total
36.7%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
6,593
36.7%
-1.6pp
Mandarin
2021 count
3,852
% of total
21.5%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
3,852
21.5%
-0.3pp
Cantonese
2021 count
1,241
% of total
6.9%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
1,241
6.9%
-0.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
850
% of total
4.7%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
850
4.7%
+0.3pp
Punjabi
2021 count
642
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
642
3.6%
+1.3pp
Korean
2021 count
611
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
611
3.4%
0.0pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
320
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
320
1.8%
-0.1pp
Arabic
2021 count
318
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
318
1.8%
+0.1pp
Hindi
2021 count
248
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
248
1.4%
-0.4pp
Urdu
2021 count
221
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
221
1.2%
+0.3pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+33
-1.6pp
Mandarin
+125
-0.3pp
Cantonese
+13
-0.3pp
Not stated
+90
+0.3pp
Punjabi
+247
+1.3pp
Korean
+37
0.0pp
Vietnamese
-3
-0.1pp
Arabic
+22
+0.1pp
Hindi
-52
-0.4pp
Urdu
+60
+0.3pp
Data table
Language used at home for Calamvale. 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 | 6,593 | 36.7% | 71.6% | 6,560 | 38.3% | 71.8% | +33 | -1.6pp |
| Mandarin | 3,852 | 21.5% | 4.4% | 3,727 | 21.8% | 4.1% | +125 | -0.3pp |
| Cantonese | 1,241 | 6.9% | 1.5% | 1,228 | 7.2% | 1.5% | +13 | -0.3pp |
| Not stated | 850 | 4.7% | 4.4% | 760 | 4.4% | 5.8% | +90 | +0.3pp |
| Punjabi | 642 | 3.6% | 1.0% | 395 | 2.3% | 0.9% | +247 | +1.3pp |
| Korean | 611 | 3.4% | 0.9% | 574 | 3.4% | 1.0% | +37 | 0.0pp |
| Vietnamese | 320 | 1.8% | 1.7% | 323 | 1.9% | 1.6% | -3 | -0.1pp |
| Arabic | 318 | 1.8% | 0.6% | 296 | 1.7% | 0.6% | +22 | +0.1pp |
| Hindi | 248 | 1.4% | 0.9% | 300 | 1.8% | 0.9% | -52 | -0.4pp |
| Urdu | 221 | 1.2% | 0.3% | 161 | 0.9% | 0.2% | +60 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 17,945 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 17,115 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +830 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.