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 Wakerley, accounting for 82.3% (7,175 people). This share was higher than Brisbane (C) (71.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 301 people and 1 percentage point.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Wakerley - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Wakerley 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 Wakerley, with comparison markers for Brisbane (C).
English
2021 count
7,175
% of total
82.3%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
7,175
82.3%
+1.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
183
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
183
2.1%
-1.2pp
Mandarin
2021 count
181
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
181
2.1%
+0.9pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
120
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
120
1.4%
-0.4pp
Hindi
2021 count
96
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
96
1.1%
+0.1pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
2021 count
85
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
85
1.0%
+0.2pp
Korean
2021 count
68
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
68
0.8%
+0.3pp
Spanish
2021 count
66
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
66
0.8%
-0.2pp
Greek
2021 count
55
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
55
0.6%
-0.3pp
Gujarati
2021 count
44
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
44
0.5%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+301
+1.0pp
Not stated
-98
-1.2pp
Mandarin
+76
+0.9pp
Afrikaans
-30
-0.4pp
Hindi
+10
+0.1pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
+15
+0.2pp
Korean
+23
+0.3pp
Spanish
-16
-0.2pp
Greek
-18
-0.3pp
Gujarati
+17
+0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Wakerley. 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 | 7,175 | 82.3% | 71.6% | 6,874 | 81.3% | 71.8% | +301 | +1.0pp |
| Not stated | 183 | 2.1% | 4.4% | 281 | 3.3% | 5.8% | -98 | -1.2pp |
| Mandarin | 181 | 2.1% | 4.4% | 105 | 1.2% | 4.1% | +76 | +0.9pp |
| Afrikaans | 120 | 1.4% | 0.3% | 150 | 1.8% | 0.2% | -30 | -0.4pp |
| Hindi | 96 | 1.1% | 0.9% | 86 | 1.0% | 0.9% | +10 | +0.1pp |
| Persian (excluding Dari) | 85 | 1.0% | 0.4% | 70 | 0.8% | 0.4% | +15 | +0.2pp |
| Korean | 68 | 0.8% | 0.9% | 45 | 0.5% | 1.0% | +23 | +0.3pp |
| Spanish | 66 | 0.8% | 1.1% | 82 | 1.0% | 0.9% | -16 | -0.2pp |
| Greek | 55 | 0.6% | 0.5% | 73 | 0.9% | 0.6% | -18 | -0.3pp |
| Gujarati | 44 | 0.5% | 0.5% | 27 | 0.3% | 0.3% | +17 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 8,720 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 8,452 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +268 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.