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 Doolandella, accounting for 41.6% (2,954 people). This share was lower than Brisbane (C) (71.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 819 people, while its share fell by 2.7 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Doolandella - Total persons (Usual residence)

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

Doolandella
Brisbane (C)

English

2021 count

2,954

% of total

41.6%

Change from 2016

-2.7pp

Vietnamese

2021 count

1,069

% of total

15.1%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Not stated

2021 count

392

% of total

5.5%

Change from 2016

-2.7pp

Punjabi

2021 count

285

% of total

4.0%

Change from 2016

+1.9pp

Samoan

2021 count

197

% of total

2.8%

Change from 2016

+0.5pp

Hindi

2021 count

164

% of total

2.3%

Change from 2016

-0.2pp

Mandarin

2021 count

157

% of total

2.2%

Change from 2016

-0.6pp

Arabic

2021 count

131

% of total

1.8%

Change from 2016

+0.5pp

Gujarati

2021 count

111

% of total

1.6%

Change from 2016

+0.3pp

Urdu

2021 count

104

% of total

1.5%

Change from 2016

+1.1pp

Data table

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

Language used at home for Doolandella. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Brisbane (C).
Language used at home for Doolandella. 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
English2,95441.6%71.6%2,13544.3%71.8%+819-2.7pp
Vietnamese1,06915.1%1.7%73115.2%1.6%+338-0.1pp
Not stated3925.5%4.4%3948.2%5.8%-2-2.7pp
Punjabi2854.0%1.0%1012.1%0.9%+184+1.9pp
Samoan1972.8%0.3%1102.3%0.3%+87+0.5pp
Hindi1642.3%0.9%1212.5%0.9%+43-0.2pp
Mandarin1572.2%4.4%1332.8%4.1%+24-0.6pp
Arabic1311.8%0.6%631.3%0.6%+68+0.5pp
Gujarati1111.6%0.5%611.3%0.3%+50+0.3pp
Urdu1041.5%0.3%210.4%0.2%+83+1.1pp
Total7,101100.0%100.0%4,818100.0%100.0%+2,2830.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.