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 Heathwood, accounting for 42.3% (2,091 people). This share was lower than Brisbane (C) (71.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 586 people, while its share fell by 11.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Heathwood - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Heathwood 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 Heathwood, with comparison markers for Brisbane (C).
English
2021 count
2,091
% of total
42.3%
Change from 2016
-11.7pp
2,091
42.3%
-11.7pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
489
% of total
9.9%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
489
9.9%
-1.3pp
Punjabi
2021 count
333
% of total
6.7%
Change from 2016
+5.9pp
333
6.7%
+5.9pp
Gujarati
2021 count
210
% of total
4.2%
Change from 2016
+2.4pp
210
4.2%
+2.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
189
% of total
3.8%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
189
3.8%
-0.9pp
Hindi
2021 count
169
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
169
3.4%
+0.6pp
Malayalam
2021 count
151
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
151
3.1%
+1.6pp
Mandarin
2021 count
148
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
148
3.0%
-0.8pp
Nepali
2021 count
120
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
120
2.4%
+1.0pp
Sinhalese
2021 count
118
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
118
2.4%
+1.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+586
-11.7pp
Vietnamese
+178
-1.3pp
Punjabi
+312
+5.9pp
Gujarati
+160
+2.4pp
Not stated
+57
-0.9pp
Hindi
+91
+0.6pp
Malayalam
+110
+1.6pp
Mandarin
+42
-0.8pp
Nepali
+81
+1.0pp
Sinhalese
+82
+1.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Heathwood. 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 | 2,091 | 42.3% | 71.6% | 1,505 | 54.0% | 71.8% | +586 | -11.7pp |
| Vietnamese | 489 | 9.9% | 1.7% | 311 | 11.2% | 1.6% | +178 | -1.3pp |
| Punjabi | 333 | 6.7% | 1.0% | 21 | 0.8% | 0.9% | +312 | +5.9pp |
| Gujarati | 210 | 4.2% | 0.5% | 50 | 1.8% | 0.3% | +160 | +2.4pp |
| Not stated | 189 | 3.8% | 4.4% | 132 | 4.7% | 5.8% | +57 | -0.9pp |
| Hindi | 169 | 3.4% | 0.9% | 78 | 2.8% | 0.9% | +91 | +0.6pp |
| Malayalam | 151 | 3.1% | 0.4% | 41 | 1.5% | 0.3% | +110 | +1.6pp |
| Mandarin | 148 | 3.0% | 4.4% | 106 | 3.8% | 4.1% | +42 | -0.8pp |
| Nepali | 120 | 2.4% | 0.5% | 39 | 1.4% | 0.3% | +81 | +1.0pp |
| Sinhalese | 118 | 2.4% | 0.4% | 36 | 1.3% | 0.3% | +82 | +1.1pp |
| Total | 4,943 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,788 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,155 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.