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 New Farm, accounting for 77.8% (9,480 people). This share was higher than Brisbane (C) (71.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 752 people and 8.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
New Farm - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for New Farm 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 New Farm, with comparison markers for Brisbane (C).
English
2021 count
9,480
% of total
77.8%
Change from 2016
+8.1pp
9,480
77.8%
+8.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
804
% of total
6.6%
Change from 2016
-8.3pp
804
6.6%
-8.3pp
Italian
2021 count
259
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
259
2.1%
-0.2pp
Cantonese
2021 count
179
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
179
1.5%
0.0pp
Spanish
2021 count
146
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
146
1.2%
+0.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
140
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
140
1.1%
-0.2pp
Portuguese
2021 count
126
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
126
1.0%
+0.3pp
Nepali
2021 count
104
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
104
0.9%
-0.2pp
French
2021 count
77
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
77
0.6%
-0.2pp
Japanese
2021 count
67
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
67
0.6%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+752
+8.1pp
Not stated
-1,066
-8.3pp
Italian
-29
-0.2pp
Cantonese
-15
0.0pp
Spanish
+8
+0.1pp
Mandarin
-20
-0.2pp
Portuguese
+36
+0.3pp
Nepali
-37
-0.2pp
French
-18
-0.2pp
Japanese
+8
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for New Farm. 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 | 9,480 | 77.8% | 71.6% | 8,728 | 69.7% | 71.8% | +752 | +8.1pp |
| Not stated | 804 | 6.6% | 4.4% | 1,870 | 14.9% | 5.8% | -1,066 | -8.3pp |
| Italian | 259 | 2.1% | 0.6% | 288 | 2.3% | 0.7% | -29 | -0.2pp |
| Cantonese | 179 | 1.5% | 1.5% | 194 | 1.5% | 1.5% | -15 | 0.0pp |
| Spanish | 146 | 1.2% | 1.1% | 138 | 1.1% | 0.9% | +8 | +0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 140 | 1.1% | 4.4% | 160 | 1.3% | 4.1% | -20 | -0.2pp |
| Portuguese | 126 | 1.0% | 0.4% | 90 | 0.7% | 0.3% | +36 | +0.3pp |
| Nepali | 104 | 0.9% | 0.5% | 141 | 1.1% | 0.3% | -37 | -0.2pp |
| French | 77 | 0.6% | 0.4% | 95 | 0.8% | 0.4% | -18 | -0.2pp |
| Japanese | 67 | 0.6% | 0.5% | 59 | 0.5% | 0.5% | +8 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 12,178 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 12,520 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -342 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.