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 Riverhills, accounting for 78.8% (3,255 people). This share was higher than Brisbane (C) (71.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Mandarin, which increased by 23 people and 0.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Riverhills - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Riverhills 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 Riverhills, with comparison markers for Brisbane (C).
English
2021 count
3,255
% of total
78.8%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
3,255
78.8%
-1.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
103
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
103
2.5%
-1.3pp
Mandarin
2021 count
85
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
85
2.1%
+0.6pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
78
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
78
1.9%
-0.2pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
2021 count
56
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
56
1.4%
+0.4pp
Spanish
2021 count
47
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
47
1.1%
+0.2pp
Arabic
2021 count
41
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
41
1.0%
-0.1pp
Japanese
2021 count
35
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
35
0.8%
0.0pp
Tamil
2021 count
32
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
32
0.8%
+0.4pp
Korean
2021 count
31
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
31
0.8%
+0.6pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+16
-1.2pp
Not stated
-52
-1.3pp
Mandarin
+23
+0.6pp
Vietnamese
-8
-0.2pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
+15
+0.4pp
Spanish
+12
+0.2pp
Arabic
-2
-0.1pp
Japanese
+1
0.0pp
Tamil
+15
+0.4pp
Korean
+22
+0.6pp
Data table
Language used at home for Riverhills. 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 | 3,255 | 78.8% | 71.6% | 3,239 | 80.0% | 71.8% | +16 | -1.2pp |
| Not stated | 103 | 2.5% | 4.4% | 155 | 3.8% | 5.8% | -52 | -1.3pp |
| Mandarin | 85 | 2.1% | 4.4% | 62 | 1.5% | 4.1% | +23 | +0.6pp |
| Vietnamese | 78 | 1.9% | 1.7% | 86 | 2.1% | 1.6% | -8 | -0.2pp |
| Persian (excluding Dari) | 56 | 1.4% | 0.4% | 41 | 1.0% | 0.4% | +15 | +0.4pp |
| Spanish | 47 | 1.1% | 1.1% | 35 | 0.9% | 0.9% | +12 | +0.2pp |
| Arabic | 41 | 1.0% | 0.6% | 43 | 1.1% | 0.6% | -2 | -0.1pp |
| Japanese | 35 | 0.8% | 0.5% | 34 | 0.8% | 0.5% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Tamil | 32 | 0.8% | 0.3% | 17 | 0.4% | 0.3% | +15 | +0.4pp |
| Korean | 31 | 0.8% | 0.9% | 9 | 0.2% | 1.0% | +22 | +0.6pp |
| Total | 4,130 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,049 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +81 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.