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 Geebung, accounting for 85.9% (4,139 people). This share was higher than Brisbane (C) (71.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 274 people and 2.4 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Geebung - Total persons (Usual residence)

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

Geebung
Brisbane (C)

English

2021 count

4,139

% of total

85.9%

Change from 2016

+2.4pp

Not stated

2021 count

142

% of total

2.9%

Change from 2016

-1.8pp

Mandarin

2021 count

70

% of total

1.5%

Change from 2016

+0.3pp

Nepali

2021 count

34

% of total

0.7%

Change from 2016

+0.6pp

Hindi

2021 count

33

% of total

0.7%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Spanish

2021 count

26

% of total

0.5%

Change from 2016

-0.2pp

Italian

2021 count

24

% of total

0.5%

Change from 2016

-0.2pp

Tagalog

2021 count

24

% of total

0.5%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Japanese

2021 count

23

% of total

0.5%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Punjabi

2021 count

19

% of total

0.4%

Change from 2016

-0.5pp

Data table

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

Language used at home for Geebung. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Brisbane (C).
Language used at home for Geebung. 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
English4,13985.9%71.6%3,86583.5%71.8%+274+2.4pp
Not stated1422.9%4.4%2184.7%5.8%-76-1.8pp
Mandarin701.5%4.4%561.2%4.1%+14+0.3pp
Nepali340.7%0.5%30.1%0.3%+31+0.6pp
Hindi330.7%0.9%350.8%0.9%-2-0.1pp
Spanish260.5%1.1%320.7%0.9%-6-0.2pp
Italian240.5%0.6%320.7%0.7%-8-0.2pp
Tagalog240.5%0.5%270.6%0.5%-3-0.1pp
Japanese230.5%0.5%190.4%0.5%+4+0.1pp
Punjabi190.4%1.0%420.9%0.9%-23-0.5pp
Total4,818100.0%100.0%4,628100.0%100.0%+1900.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.