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 Taringa, accounting for 72% (6,249 people). This share was higher than Brisbane (C) (71.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 479 people and 1.7 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Taringa - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises language used at home for Taringa 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 Taringa, with comparison markers for Brisbane (C).

Taringa
Brisbane (C)

English

2021 count

6,249

% of total

72.0%

Change from 2016

+1.7pp

Mandarin

2021 count

433

% of total

5.0%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Not stated

2021 count

296

% of total

3.4%

Change from 2016

-1.6pp

Spanish

2021 count

170

% of total

2.0%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Cantonese

2021 count

158

% of total

1.8%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Korean

2021 count

103

% of total

1.2%

Change from 2016

+0.4pp

Persian (excluding Dari)

2021 count

93

% of total

1.1%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Japanese

2021 count

82

% of total

0.9%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Vietnamese

2021 count

79

% of total

0.9%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Hindi

2021 count

71

% of total

0.8%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Data table

Language used at home for Taringa. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Brisbane (C).

Language used at home for Taringa. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Brisbane (C).
Language used at home for Taringa. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Brisbane (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Brisbane (C)%Count%Brisbane (C)%Countpp
English6,24972.0%71.6%5,77070.3%71.8%+479+1.7pp
Mandarin4335.0%4.4%4024.9%4.1%+31+0.1pp
Not stated2963.4%4.4%4125.0%5.8%-116-1.6pp
Spanish1702.0%1.1%1451.8%0.9%+25+0.2pp
Cantonese1581.8%1.5%1311.6%1.5%+27+0.2pp
Korean1031.2%0.9%670.8%1.0%+36+0.4pp
Persian (excluding Dari)931.1%0.4%931.1%0.4%00.0pp
Japanese820.9%0.5%791.0%0.5%+3-0.1pp
Vietnamese790.9%1.7%690.8%1.6%+10+0.1pp
Hindi710.8%0.9%520.6%0.9%+19+0.2pp
Total8,680100.0%100.0%8,203100.0%100.0%+4770.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.