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 McDowall, accounting for 80.9% (6,160 people). This share was higher than Brisbane (C) (71.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 109 people, while its share fell by 2.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
McDowall - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for McDowall 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 McDowall, with comparison markers for Brisbane (C).
English
2021 count
6,160
% of total
80.9%
Change from 2016
-2.9pp
6,160
80.9%
-2.9pp
Mandarin
2021 count
190
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
190
2.5%
+1.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
170
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
170
2.2%
-0.7pp
Italian
2021 count
147
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
147
1.9%
-0.6pp
Malayalam
2021 count
135
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
135
1.8%
+1.0pp
Cantonese
2021 count
78
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
78
1.0%
-0.2pp
Spanish
2021 count
56
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
56
0.7%
+0.2pp
Hindi
2021 count
55
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
55
0.7%
+0.3pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
2021 count
43
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
43
0.6%
+0.2pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
42
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
42
0.6%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+109
-2.9pp
Mandarin
+80
+1.0pp
Not stated
-40
-0.7pp
Italian
-31
-0.6pp
Malayalam
+78
+1.0pp
Cantonese
-6
-0.2pp
Spanish
+18
+0.2pp
Hindi
+24
+0.3pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
+11
+0.2pp
Afrikaans
+10
+0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for McDowall. 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 | 6,160 | 80.9% | 71.6% | 6,051 | 83.8% | 71.8% | +109 | -2.9pp |
| Mandarin | 190 | 2.5% | 4.4% | 110 | 1.5% | 4.1% | +80 | +1.0pp |
| Not stated | 170 | 2.2% | 4.4% | 210 | 2.9% | 5.8% | -40 | -0.7pp |
| Italian | 147 | 1.9% | 0.6% | 178 | 2.5% | 0.7% | -31 | -0.6pp |
| Malayalam | 135 | 1.8% | 0.4% | 57 | 0.8% | 0.3% | +78 | +1.0pp |
| Cantonese | 78 | 1.0% | 1.5% | 84 | 1.2% | 1.5% | -6 | -0.2pp |
| Spanish | 56 | 0.7% | 1.1% | 38 | 0.5% | 0.9% | +18 | +0.2pp |
| Hindi | 55 | 0.7% | 0.9% | 31 | 0.4% | 0.9% | +24 | +0.3pp |
| Persian (excluding Dari) | 43 | 0.6% | 0.4% | 32 | 0.4% | 0.4% | +11 | +0.2pp |
| Afrikaans | 42 | 0.6% | 0.3% | 32 | 0.4% | 0.2% | +10 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 7,617 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 7,222 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +395 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.