Cultural diversity
Language spoken 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 Mackenzie (Brisbane - Qld), accounting for 61.7% (1,448 people). This share was lower than Brisbane (C) (71.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Malayalam, which increased by 66 people and 2.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Mackenzie (Brisbane - Qld) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Mackenzie (Brisbane - 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 Mackenzie (Brisbane - Qld), with comparison markers for Brisbane (C).
English
Mandarin
Malayalam
Sinhalese
Cantonese
Korean
Greek
Spanish
Not stated
Afrikaans
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-31
-9.9pp
Mandarin
+58
+1.8pp
Malayalam
+66
+2.7pp
Sinhalese
+15
+0.4pp
Cantonese
-4
-0.5pp
Korean
+26
+1.0pp
Greek
+15
+0.5pp
Spanish
+10
+0.3pp
Not stated
+3
0.0pp
Afrikaans
-5
-0.4pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Mackenzie (Brisbane - 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 | 1,448 | 61.7% | 71.6% | 1,479 | 71.6% | 71.8% | -31 | -9.9pp |
| Mandarin | 187 | 8.0% | 4.4% | 129 | 6.2% | 4.1% | +58 | +1.8pp |
| Malayalam | 98 | 4.2% | 0.4% | 32 | 1.5% | 0.3% | +66 | +2.7pp |
| Sinhalese | 60 | 2.6% | 0.4% | 45 | 2.2% | 0.3% | +15 | +0.4pp |
| Cantonese | 53 | 2.3% | 1.5% | 57 | 2.8% | 1.5% | -4 | -0.5pp |
| Korean | 51 | 2.2% | 0.9% | 25 | 1.2% | 1.0% | +26 | +1.0pp |
| Greek | 49 | 2.1% | 0.5% | 34 | 1.6% | 0.6% | +15 | +0.5pp |
| Spanish | 35 | 1.5% | 1.1% | 25 | 1.2% | 0.9% | +10 | +0.3pp |
| Not stated | 35 | 1.5% | 4.4% | 32 | 1.5% | 5.8% | +3 | 0.0pp |
| Afrikaans | 32 | 1.4% | 0.3% | 37 | 1.8% | 0.2% | -5 | -0.4pp |
| Total | 2,345 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,065 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +280 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.