Cultural diversity
Language spoken at home
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.
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 spoken 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
Not stated
Mandarin
Vietnamese
Persian (excluding Dari)
Spanish
Arabic
Japanese
Tamil
Korean
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 spoken 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.