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 Newstead (Qld), accounting for 75.3% (5,643 people). This share was higher than Brisbane (C) (71.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 4,135 people and 5.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Newstead (Qld) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Newstead (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 Newstead (Qld), with comparison markers for Brisbane (C).
English
2021 count
5,643
% of total
75.3%
Change from 2016
+5.8pp
5,643
75.3%
+5.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
592
% of total
7.9%
Change from 2016
-9.6pp
592
7.9%
-9.6pp
Mandarin
2021 count
216
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
216
2.9%
+1.0pp
Spanish
2021 count
181
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
181
2.4%
+1.2pp
Japanese
2021 count
66
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
66
0.9%
-0.1pp
Korean
2021 count
62
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
62
0.8%
-0.4pp
Cantonese
2021 count
59
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
59
0.8%
+0.4pp
Portuguese
2021 count
58
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
58
0.8%
+0.2pp
Italian
2021 count
58
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
58
0.8%
-0.1pp
French
2021 count
47
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
47
0.6%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+4,135
+5.8pp
Not stated
+214
-9.6pp
Mandarin
+174
+1.0pp
Spanish
+155
+1.2pp
Japanese
+45
-0.1pp
Korean
+37
-0.4pp
Cantonese
+50
+0.4pp
Portuguese
+46
+0.2pp
Italian
+38
-0.1pp
French
+30
-0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Newstead (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 | 5,643 | 75.3% | 71.6% | 1,508 | 69.5% | 71.8% | +4,135 | +5.8pp |
| Not stated | 592 | 7.9% | 4.4% | 378 | 17.5% | 5.8% | +214 | -9.6pp |
| Mandarin | 216 | 2.9% | 4.4% | 42 | 1.9% | 4.1% | +174 | +1.0pp |
| Spanish | 181 | 2.4% | 1.1% | 26 | 1.2% | 0.9% | +155 | +1.2pp |
| Japanese | 66 | 0.9% | 0.5% | 21 | 1.0% | 0.5% | +45 | -0.1pp |
| Korean | 62 | 0.8% | 0.9% | 25 | 1.2% | 1.0% | +37 | -0.4pp |
| Cantonese | 59 | 0.8% | 1.5% | 9 | 0.4% | 1.5% | +50 | +0.4pp |
| Portuguese | 58 | 0.8% | 0.4% | 12 | 0.6% | 0.3% | +46 | +0.2pp |
| Italian | 58 | 0.8% | 0.6% | 20 | 0.9% | 0.7% | +38 | -0.1pp |
| French | 47 | 0.6% | 0.4% | 17 | 0.8% | 0.4% | +30 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 7,498 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,168 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +5,330 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.