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 Sherwood (Qld), accounting for 83% (5,032 people). This share was higher than Brisbane (C) (71.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 671 people and 0.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Sherwood (Qld) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Sherwood (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 Sherwood (Qld), with comparison markers for Brisbane (C).
English
2021 count
5,032
% of total
83.0%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
5,032
83.0%
+0.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
175
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
175
2.9%
-1.8pp
Mandarin
2021 count
93
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
93
1.5%
+0.2pp
Japanese
2021 count
72
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
72
1.2%
+0.5pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
50
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
50
0.8%
+0.2pp
Spanish
2021 count
47
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
47
0.8%
0.0pp
Korean
2021 count
42
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
42
0.7%
-0.3pp
Hindi
2021 count
38
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
38
0.6%
0.0pp
German
2021 count
37
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
37
0.6%
+0.3pp
Tamil
2021 count
37
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
37
0.6%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+671
+0.6pp
Not stated
-75
-1.8pp
Mandarin
+26
+0.2pp
Japanese
+37
+0.5pp
Vietnamese
+17
+0.2pp
Spanish
+5
0.0pp
Korean
-12
-0.3pp
Hindi
+5
0.0pp
German
+19
+0.3pp
Tamil
+11
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Sherwood (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 | 5,032 | 83.0% | 71.6% | 4,361 | 82.4% | 71.8% | +671 | +0.6pp |
| Not stated | 175 | 2.9% | 4.4% | 250 | 4.7% | 5.8% | -75 | -1.8pp |
| Mandarin | 93 | 1.5% | 4.4% | 67 | 1.3% | 4.1% | +26 | +0.2pp |
| Japanese | 72 | 1.2% | 0.5% | 35 | 0.7% | 0.5% | +37 | +0.5pp |
| Vietnamese | 50 | 0.8% | 1.7% | 33 | 0.6% | 1.6% | +17 | +0.2pp |
| Spanish | 47 | 0.8% | 1.1% | 42 | 0.8% | 0.9% | +5 | 0.0pp |
| Korean | 42 | 0.7% | 0.9% | 54 | 1.0% | 1.0% | -12 | -0.3pp |
| Hindi | 38 | 0.6% | 0.9% | 33 | 0.6% | 0.9% | +5 | 0.0pp |
| German | 37 | 0.6% | 0.3% | 18 | 0.3% | 0.4% | +19 | +0.3pp |
| Tamil | 37 | 0.6% | 0.3% | 26 | 0.5% | 0.3% | +11 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 6,061 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,293 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +768 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.