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 Fairfield (Qld), accounting for 79% (2,443 people). This share was higher than Brisbane (C) (71.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 167 people and 2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Fairfield (Qld) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Fairfield (Qld) 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 Fairfield (Qld), with comparison markers for Brisbane (C).
English
2021 count
2,443
% of total
79.0%
Change from 2016
+2.0pp
2,443
79.0%
+2.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
94
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
94
3.0%
-1.8pp
Mandarin
2021 count
51
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
51
1.6%
-1.4pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
48
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
48
1.6%
-0.1pp
Greek
2021 count
46
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
46
1.5%
0.0pp
Spanish
2021 count
43
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
43
1.4%
+0.2pp
Portuguese
2021 count
27
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
27
0.9%
+0.8pp
German
2021 count
20
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
20
0.6%
0.0pp
Tamil
2021 count
19
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
19
0.6%
+0.2pp
Cantonese
2021 count
19
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
19
0.6%
-0.3pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+167
+2.0pp
Not stated
-49
-1.8pp
Mandarin
-38
-1.4pp
Vietnamese
-2
-0.1pp
Greek
+1
0.0pp
Spanish
+9
+0.2pp
Portuguese
+24
+0.8pp
German
+3
0.0pp
Tamil
+7
+0.2pp
Cantonese
-8
-0.3pp
Data table
Language used at home for Fairfield (Qld). 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 | 2,443 | 79.0% | 71.6% | 2,276 | 77.0% | 71.8% | +167 | +2.0pp |
| Not stated | 94 | 3.0% | 4.4% | 143 | 4.8% | 5.8% | -49 | -1.8pp |
| Mandarin | 51 | 1.6% | 4.4% | 89 | 3.0% | 4.1% | -38 | -1.4pp |
| Vietnamese | 48 | 1.6% | 1.7% | 50 | 1.7% | 1.6% | -2 | -0.1pp |
| Greek | 46 | 1.5% | 0.5% | 45 | 1.5% | 0.6% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Spanish | 43 | 1.4% | 1.1% | 34 | 1.2% | 0.9% | +9 | +0.2pp |
| Portuguese | 27 | 0.9% | 0.4% | 3 | 0.1% | 0.3% | +24 | +0.8pp |
| German | 20 | 0.6% | 0.3% | 17 | 0.6% | 0.4% | +3 | 0.0pp |
| Tamil | 19 | 0.6% | 0.3% | 12 | 0.4% | 0.3% | +7 | +0.2pp |
| Cantonese | 19 | 0.6% | 1.5% | 27 | 0.9% | 1.5% | -8 | -0.3pp |
| Total | 3,094 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,954 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +140 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.