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 Carina Heights, accounting for 77.2% (5,472 people). This share was higher than Brisbane (C) (71.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 358 people and 1.4 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Carina Heights - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises language used at home for Carina Heights 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 Carina Heights, with comparison markers for Brisbane (C).

Carina Heights
Brisbane (C)

English

2021 count

5,472

% of total

77.2%

Change from 2016

+1.4pp

Not stated

2021 count

321

% of total

4.5%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Mandarin

2021 count

152

% of total

2.1%

Change from 2016

+0.4pp

Spanish

2021 count

147

% of total

2.1%

Change from 2016

+0.5pp

Greek

2021 count

72

% of total

1.0%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Korean

2021 count

66

% of total

0.9%

Change from 2016

-0.8pp

Cantonese

2021 count

62

% of total

0.9%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Italian

2021 count

56

% of total

0.8%

Change from 2016

-0.4pp

Russian

2021 count

40

% of total

0.6%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Vietnamese

2021 count

40

% of total

0.6%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Data table

Language used at home for Carina Heights. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Brisbane (C).

Language used at home for Carina Heights. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Brisbane (C).
Language used at home for Carina Heights. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Brisbane (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Brisbane (C)%Count%Brisbane (C)%Countpp
English5,47277.2%71.6%5,11475.8%71.8%+358+1.4pp
Not stated3214.5%4.4%3054.5%5.8%+160.0pp
Mandarin1522.1%4.4%1151.7%4.1%+37+0.4pp
Spanish1472.1%1.1%1091.6%0.9%+38+0.5pp
Greek721.0%0.5%540.8%0.6%+18+0.2pp
Korean660.9%0.9%1151.7%1.0%-49-0.8pp
Cantonese620.9%1.5%701.0%1.5%-8-0.1pp
Italian560.8%0.6%821.2%0.7%-26-0.4pp
Russian400.6%0.2%380.6%0.2%+20.0pp
Vietnamese400.6%1.7%300.4%1.6%+10+0.2pp
Total7,090100.0%100.0%6,749100.0%100.0%+3410.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.