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 Wavell Heights, accounting for 86.4% (8,911 people). This share was higher than Brisbane (C) (71.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 551 people and 0.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Wavell Heights - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Wavell 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 Wavell Heights, with comparison markers for Brisbane (C).
English
2021 count
8,911
% of total
86.4%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
8,911
86.4%
+0.9pp
Not stated
2021 count
269
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
269
2.6%
-1.2pp
Mandarin
2021 count
91
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
91
0.9%
+0.4pp
Italian
2021 count
81
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
81
0.8%
-0.2pp
Spanish
2021 count
80
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
80
0.8%
+0.3pp
Hindi
2021 count
49
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
49
0.5%
-0.1pp
German
2021 count
47
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
47
0.5%
+0.1pp
Cantonese
2021 count
43
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
43
0.4%
-0.1pp
Tagalog
2021 count
41
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
41
0.4%
-0.2pp
Portuguese
2021 count
39
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
39
0.4%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+551
+0.9pp
Not stated
-107
-1.2pp
Mandarin
+41
+0.4pp
Italian
-13
-0.2pp
Spanish
+27
+0.3pp
Hindi
-6
-0.1pp
German
+4
+0.1pp
Cantonese
-11
-0.1pp
Tagalog
-15
-0.2pp
Portuguese
+24
+0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Wavell 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 | 8,911 | 86.4% | 71.6% | 8,360 | 85.5% | 71.8% | +551 | +0.9pp |
| Not stated | 269 | 2.6% | 4.4% | 376 | 3.8% | 5.8% | -107 | -1.2pp |
| Mandarin | 91 | 0.9% | 4.4% | 50 | 0.5% | 4.1% | +41 | +0.4pp |
| Italian | 81 | 0.8% | 0.6% | 94 | 1.0% | 0.7% | -13 | -0.2pp |
| Spanish | 80 | 0.8% | 1.1% | 53 | 0.5% | 0.9% | +27 | +0.3pp |
| Hindi | 49 | 0.5% | 0.9% | 55 | 0.6% | 0.9% | -6 | -0.1pp |
| German | 47 | 0.5% | 0.3% | 43 | 0.4% | 0.4% | +4 | +0.1pp |
| Cantonese | 43 | 0.4% | 1.5% | 54 | 0.5% | 1.5% | -11 | -0.1pp |
| Tagalog | 41 | 0.4% | 0.5% | 56 | 0.6% | 0.5% | -15 | -0.2pp |
| Portuguese | 39 | 0.4% | 0.4% | 15 | 0.2% | 0.3% | +24 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 10,319 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 9,782 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +537 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.