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 South Brisbane, accounting for 48.8% (6,968 people). This share was lower than Brisbane (C) (71.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 3,176 people, while its share fell by 3.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
South Brisbane - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for South Brisbane 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 South Brisbane, with comparison markers for Brisbane (C).
English
2021 count
6,968
% of total
48.8%
Change from 2016
-3.9pp
6,968
48.8%
-3.9pp
Mandarin
2021 count
2,074
% of total
14.5%
Change from 2016
+4.0pp
2,074
14.5%
+4.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,640
% of total
11.5%
Change from 2016
+2.5pp
1,640
11.5%
+2.5pp
Cantonese
2021 count
434
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
434
3.0%
-0.3pp
Korean
2021 count
356
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
356
2.5%
-0.7pp
Spanish
2021 count
331
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
331
2.3%
+0.2pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
218
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
218
1.5%
+0.2pp
Portuguese
2021 count
149
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
149
1.0%
+0.1pp
Hindi
2021 count
133
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
133
0.9%
-0.1pp
Japanese
2021 count
129
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
129
0.9%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+3,176
-3.9pp
Mandarin
+1,321
+4.0pp
Not stated
+993
+2.5pp
Cantonese
+196
-0.3pp
Korean
+126
-0.7pp
Spanish
+182
+0.2pp
Vietnamese
+128
+0.2pp
Portuguese
+84
+0.1pp
Hindi
+60
-0.1pp
Japanese
+59
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for South Brisbane. 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 | 6,968 | 48.8% | 71.6% | 3,792 | 52.7% | 71.8% | +3,176 | -3.9pp |
| Mandarin | 2,074 | 14.5% | 4.4% | 753 | 10.5% | 4.1% | +1,321 | +4.0pp |
| Not stated | 1,640 | 11.5% | 4.4% | 647 | 9.0% | 5.8% | +993 | +2.5pp |
| Cantonese | 434 | 3.0% | 1.5% | 238 | 3.3% | 1.5% | +196 | -0.3pp |
| Korean | 356 | 2.5% | 0.9% | 230 | 3.2% | 1.0% | +126 | -0.7pp |
| Spanish | 331 | 2.3% | 1.1% | 149 | 2.1% | 0.9% | +182 | +0.2pp |
| Vietnamese | 218 | 1.5% | 1.7% | 90 | 1.3% | 1.6% | +128 | +0.2pp |
| Portuguese | 149 | 1.0% | 0.4% | 65 | 0.9% | 0.3% | +84 | +0.1pp |
| Hindi | 133 | 0.9% | 0.9% | 73 | 1.0% | 0.9% | +60 | -0.1pp |
| Japanese | 129 | 0.9% | 0.5% | 70 | 1.0% | 0.5% | +59 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 14,278 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 7,191 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +7,087 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.