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 Wacol, accounting for 15.2% (644 people). This share was lower than Brisbane (C) (71.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 51 people, while its share fell by 0.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Wacol - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Wacol 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 Wacol, with comparison markers for Brisbane (C).
Not stated
2021 count
3,431
% of total
81.1%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
3,431
81.1%
+1.0pp
English
2021 count
644
% of total
15.2%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
644
15.2%
-0.6pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
29
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
29
0.7%
-0.3pp
Samoan
2021 count
17
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
17
0.4%
+0.2pp
Mandarin
2021 count
15
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
15
0.4%
+0.1pp
Italian
2021 count
12
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
12
0.3%
+0.1pp
Spanish
2021 count
11
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
11
0.3%
-0.2pp
Tagalog
2021 count
10
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
10
0.2%
-0.3pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Not stated
+425
+1.0pp
English
+51
-0.6pp
Vietnamese
-7
-0.3pp
Samoan
+11
+0.2pp
Mandarin
+2
+0.1pp
Italian
+4
+0.1pp
Spanish
-6
-0.2pp
Tagalog
-7
-0.3pp
Data table
Language used at home for Wacol. 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 | |
| Not stated | 3,431 | 81.1% | 4.4% | 3,006 | 80.1% | 5.8% | +425 | +1.0pp |
| English | 644 | 15.2% | 71.6% | 593 | 15.8% | 71.8% | +51 | -0.6pp |
| Vietnamese | 29 | 0.7% | 1.7% | 36 | 1.0% | 1.6% | -7 | -0.3pp |
| Samoan | 17 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 6 | 0.2% | 0.3% | +11 | +0.2pp |
| Mandarin | 15 | 0.4% | 4.4% | 13 | 0.3% | 4.1% | +2 | +0.1pp |
| Italian | 12 | 0.3% | 0.6% | 8 | 0.2% | 0.7% | +4 | +0.1pp |
| Spanish | 11 | 0.3% | 1.1% | 17 | 0.5% | 0.9% | -6 | -0.2pp |
| Tagalog | 10 | 0.2% | 0.5% | 17 | 0.5% | 0.5% | -7 | -0.3pp |
| Total | 4,231 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,751 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +480 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.