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 Eight Mile Plains, accounting for 40.7% (6,229 people). This share was lower than Brisbane (C) (71.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 304 people and 2.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Eight Mile Plains - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Eight Mile Plains 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 Eight Mile Plains, with comparison markers for Brisbane (C).
English
2021 count
6,229
% of total
40.7%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
6,229
40.7%
-2.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
2,996
% of total
19.6%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
2,996
19.6%
+0.4pp
Cantonese
2021 count
937
% of total
6.1%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
937
6.1%
-0.2pp
Korean
2021 count
851
% of total
5.6%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
851
5.6%
-1.8pp
Punjabi
2021 count
686
% of total
4.5%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
686
4.5%
+1.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
633
% of total
4.1%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
633
4.1%
+0.5pp
Gujarati
2021 count
263
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
263
1.7%
+0.6pp
Hindi
2021 count
238
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
238
1.6%
0.0pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
200
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
200
1.3%
+0.3pp
Greek
2021 count
175
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
175
1.1%
-0.3pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-304
-2.1pp
Mandarin
+73
+0.4pp
Cantonese
-22
-0.2pp
Korean
-272
-1.8pp
Punjabi
+212
+1.4pp
Not stated
+79
+0.5pp
Gujarati
+97
+0.6pp
Hindi
-8
0.0pp
Vietnamese
+43
+0.3pp
Greek
-40
-0.3pp
Data table
Language used at home for Eight Mile Plains. 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 | 6,229 | 40.7% | 71.6% | 6,533 | 42.8% | 71.8% | -304 | -2.1pp |
| Mandarin | 2,996 | 19.6% | 4.4% | 2,923 | 19.2% | 4.1% | +73 | +0.4pp |
| Cantonese | 937 | 6.1% | 1.5% | 959 | 6.3% | 1.5% | -22 | -0.2pp |
| Korean | 851 | 5.6% | 0.9% | 1,123 | 7.4% | 1.0% | -272 | -1.8pp |
| Punjabi | 686 | 4.5% | 1.0% | 474 | 3.1% | 0.9% | +212 | +1.4pp |
| Not stated | 633 | 4.1% | 4.4% | 554 | 3.6% | 5.8% | +79 | +0.5pp |
| Gujarati | 263 | 1.7% | 0.5% | 166 | 1.1% | 0.3% | +97 | +0.6pp |
| Hindi | 238 | 1.6% | 0.9% | 246 | 1.6% | 0.9% | -8 | 0.0pp |
| Vietnamese | 200 | 1.3% | 1.7% | 157 | 1.0% | 1.6% | +43 | +0.3pp |
| Greek | 175 | 1.1% | 0.5% | 215 | 1.4% | 0.6% | -40 | -0.3pp |
| Total | 15,300 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 15,254 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +46 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.