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 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 spoken at home for Fairfield (Qld) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Brisbane (C) and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Fairfield (Qld), with comparison markers for Brisbane (C).
English
Not stated
Mandarin
Vietnamese
Greek
Spanish
Portuguese
German
Tamil
Cantonese
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 spoken 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.