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 Rochedale, accounting for 35% (2,663 people). This share was lower than Brisbane (C) (71.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Mandarin, which increased by 1,645 people and 10.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Rochedale - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Rochedale 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 Rochedale, with comparison markers for Brisbane (C).
English
2021 count
2,663
% of total
35.0%
Change from 2016
-13.9pp
2,663
35.0%
-13.9pp
Mandarin
2021 count
2,241
% of total
29.5%
Change from 2016
+10.7pp
2,241
29.5%
+10.7pp
Cantonese
2021 count
599
% of total
7.9%
Change from 2016
+2.0pp
599
7.9%
+2.0pp
Korean
2021 count
390
% of total
5.1%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
390
5.1%
+0.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
191
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
191
2.5%
-1.9pp
Gujarati
2021 count
164
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
164
2.2%
+0.6pp
Hindi
2021 count
118
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
118
1.6%
+0.5pp
Punjabi
2021 count
112
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
112
1.5%
0.0pp
Malayalam
2021 count
80
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
80
1.1%
+0.7pp
Urdu
2021 count
68
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
68
0.9%
+0.6pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,117
-13.9pp
Mandarin
+1,645
+10.7pp
Cantonese
+413
+2.0pp
Korean
+251
+0.7pp
Not stated
+52
-1.9pp
Gujarati
+113
+0.6pp
Hindi
+82
+0.5pp
Punjabi
+65
0.0pp
Malayalam
+68
+0.7pp
Urdu
+60
+0.6pp
Data table
Language used at home for Rochedale. 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 | 2,663 | 35.0% | 71.6% | 1,546 | 48.9% | 71.8% | +1,117 | -13.9pp |
| Mandarin | 2,241 | 29.5% | 4.4% | 596 | 18.8% | 4.1% | +1,645 | +10.7pp |
| Cantonese | 599 | 7.9% | 1.5% | 186 | 5.9% | 1.5% | +413 | +2.0pp |
| Korean | 390 | 5.1% | 0.9% | 139 | 4.4% | 1.0% | +251 | +0.7pp |
| Not stated | 191 | 2.5% | 4.4% | 139 | 4.4% | 5.8% | +52 | -1.9pp |
| Gujarati | 164 | 2.2% | 0.5% | 51 | 1.6% | 0.3% | +113 | +0.6pp |
| Hindi | 118 | 1.6% | 0.9% | 36 | 1.1% | 0.9% | +82 | +0.5pp |
| Punjabi | 112 | 1.5% | 1.0% | 47 | 1.5% | 0.9% | +65 | 0.0pp |
| Malayalam | 80 | 1.1% | 0.4% | 12 | 0.4% | 0.3% | +68 | +0.7pp |
| Urdu | 68 | 0.9% | 0.3% | 8 | 0.3% | 0.2% | +60 | +0.6pp |
| Total | 7,603 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,164 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +4,439 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.