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 Stafford Heights, accounting for 85.9% (5,988 people). This share was higher than Brisbane (C) (71.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 236 people and 1.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Stafford Heights - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Stafford Heights 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 Stafford Heights, with comparison markers for Brisbane (C).
English
2021 count
5,988
% of total
85.9%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
5,988
85.9%
+1.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
223
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
223
3.2%
-1.5pp
Italian
2021 count
142
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
142
2.0%
-0.5pp
Mandarin
2021 count
57
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
57
0.8%
+0.2pp
Spanish
2021 count
52
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
52
0.7%
+0.2pp
Cantonese
2021 count
34
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
34
0.5%
-0.1pp
Arabic
2021 count
29
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
29
0.4%
+0.1pp
Karen
2021 count
27
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
27
0.4%
0.0pp
Filipino
2021 count
26
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
26
0.4%
0.0pp
Hindi
2021 count
25
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
25
0.4%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+236
+1.2pp
Not stated
-97
-1.5pp
Italian
-26
-0.5pp
Mandarin
+15
+0.2pp
Spanish
+18
+0.2pp
Cantonese
-6
-0.1pp
Arabic
+11
+0.1pp
Karen
-2
0.0pp
Filipino
-2
0.0pp
Hindi
+2
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Stafford Heights. 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 | 5,988 | 85.9% | 71.6% | 5,752 | 84.7% | 71.8% | +236 | +1.2pp |
| Not stated | 223 | 3.2% | 4.4% | 320 | 4.7% | 5.8% | -97 | -1.5pp |
| Italian | 142 | 2.0% | 0.6% | 168 | 2.5% | 0.7% | -26 | -0.5pp |
| Mandarin | 57 | 0.8% | 4.4% | 42 | 0.6% | 4.1% | +15 | +0.2pp |
| Spanish | 52 | 0.7% | 1.1% | 34 | 0.5% | 0.9% | +18 | +0.2pp |
| Cantonese | 34 | 0.5% | 1.5% | 40 | 0.6% | 1.5% | -6 | -0.1pp |
| Arabic | 29 | 0.4% | 0.6% | 18 | 0.3% | 0.6% | +11 | +0.1pp |
| Karen | 27 | 0.4% | 0.0% | 29 | 0.4% | 0.0% | -2 | 0.0pp |
| Filipino | 26 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 28 | 0.4% | 0.3% | -2 | 0.0pp |
| Hindi | 25 | 0.4% | 0.9% | 23 | 0.3% | 0.9% | +2 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 6,972 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,794 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +178 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.