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 Chelmer, accounting for 83% (2,769 people). This share was higher than Brisbane (C) (71.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 176 people, while its share fell by 3.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Chelmer - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Chelmer 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 Chelmer, with comparison markers for Brisbane (C).
English
Not stated
Mandarin
Spanish
Vietnamese
Cantonese
French
Persian (excluding Dari)
German
Korean
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+176
-3.5pp
Not stated
+5
-0.3pp
Mandarin
+56
+1.6pp
Spanish
+8
+0.1pp
Vietnamese
+17
+0.5pp
Cantonese
+8
+0.1pp
French
+10
+0.3pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
+1
-0.1pp
German
-5
-0.2pp
Korean
+6
+0.1pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Chelmer. 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 | 2,769 | 83.0% | 71.6% | 2,593 | 86.5% | 71.8% | +176 | -3.5pp |
| Not stated | 124 | 3.7% | 4.4% | 119 | 4.0% | 5.8% | +5 | -0.3pp |
| Mandarin | 83 | 2.5% | 4.4% | 27 | 0.9% | 4.1% | +56 | +1.6pp |
| Spanish | 41 | 1.2% | 1.1% | 33 | 1.1% | 0.9% | +8 | +0.1pp |
| Vietnamese | 29 | 0.9% | 1.7% | 12 | 0.4% | 1.6% | +17 | +0.5pp |
| Cantonese | 28 | 0.8% | 1.5% | 20 | 0.7% | 1.5% | +8 | +0.1pp |
| French | 19 | 0.6% | 0.4% | 9 | 0.3% | 0.4% | +10 | +0.3pp |
| Persian (excluding Dari) | 15 | 0.4% | 0.4% | 14 | 0.5% | 0.4% | +1 | -0.1pp |
| German | 14 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 19 | 0.6% | 0.4% | -5 | -0.2pp |
| Korean | 14 | 0.4% | 0.9% | 8 | 0.3% | 1.0% | +6 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 3,336 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,997 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +339 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.