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 Moorooka, accounting for 78.4% (8,441 people). This share was higher than Brisbane (C) (71.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 769 people and 4.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Moorooka - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Moorooka 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 Moorooka, with comparison markers for Brisbane (C).
English
2021 count
8,441
% of total
78.4%
Change from 2016
+4.4pp
8,441
78.4%
+4.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
397
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
397
3.7%
-1.6pp
Spanish
2021 count
146
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
146
1.4%
+0.3pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
142
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
142
1.3%
-0.1pp
Arabic
2021 count
81
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
81
0.8%
+0.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
78
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
78
0.7%
-0.4pp
Greek
2021 count
76
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
76
0.7%
-0.1pp
Punjabi
2021 count
75
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
75
0.7%
-0.4pp
Cantonese
2021 count
67
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
67
0.6%
-0.1pp
Serbian
2021 count
60
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
60
0.6%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+769
+4.4pp
Not stated
-154
-1.6pp
Spanish
+31
+0.3pp
Vietnamese
-1
-0.1pp
Arabic
+4
+0.1pp
Mandarin
-31
-0.4pp
Greek
-11
-0.1pp
Punjabi
-39
-0.4pp
Cantonese
-2
-0.1pp
Serbian
-2
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Moorooka. 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 | 8,441 | 78.4% | 71.6% | 7,672 | 74.0% | 71.8% | +769 | +4.4pp |
| Not stated | 397 | 3.7% | 4.4% | 551 | 5.3% | 5.8% | -154 | -1.6pp |
| Spanish | 146 | 1.4% | 1.1% | 115 | 1.1% | 0.9% | +31 | +0.3pp |
| Vietnamese | 142 | 1.3% | 1.7% | 143 | 1.4% | 1.6% | -1 | -0.1pp |
| Arabic | 81 | 0.8% | 0.6% | 77 | 0.7% | 0.6% | +4 | +0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 78 | 0.7% | 4.4% | 109 | 1.1% | 4.1% | -31 | -0.4pp |
| Greek | 76 | 0.7% | 0.5% | 87 | 0.8% | 0.6% | -11 | -0.1pp |
| Punjabi | 75 | 0.7% | 1.0% | 114 | 1.1% | 0.9% | -39 | -0.4pp |
| Cantonese | 67 | 0.6% | 1.5% | 69 | 0.7% | 1.5% | -2 | -0.1pp |
| Serbian | 60 | 0.6% | 0.2% | 62 | 0.6% | 0.2% | -2 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 10,772 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 10,371 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +401 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.