Cultural diversity
Language spoken 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 Westlake, accounting for 73.7% (3,324 people). This share was higher than Brisbane (C) (71.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Persian (excluding Dari), which increased by 44 people and 1 percentage point.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Westlake - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Westlake in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Brisbane (C) and change since 2016.
This area boundary has changed from 2016 to 2021. As a result, 2016 values are mapped onto 2021 suburb boundaries using ABS concordance.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Westlake, with comparison markers for Brisbane (C).
English
Vietnamese
Mandarin
Cantonese
Tamil
Persian (excluding Dari)
Not stated
Hindi
Gujarati
Arabic
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+41
-0.5pp
Vietnamese
+29
+0.5pp
Mandarin
+21
+0.4pp
Cantonese
+12
+0.2pp
Tamil
-4
-0.2pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
+44
+1.0pp
Not stated
-53
-1.2pp
Hindi
-31
-0.7pp
Gujarati
+13
+0.3pp
Arabic
-2
-0.1pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Westlake. 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 | 3,324 | 73.7% | 71.6% | 3,283 | 74.2% | 71.8% | +41 | -0.5pp |
| Vietnamese | 191 | 4.2% | 1.7% | 162 | 3.7% | 1.6% | +29 | +0.5pp |
| Mandarin | 191 | 4.2% | 4.4% | 170 | 3.8% | 4.1% | +21 | +0.4pp |
| Cantonese | 124 | 2.7% | 1.5% | 112 | 2.5% | 1.5% | +12 | +0.2pp |
| Tamil | 74 | 1.6% | 0.3% | 78 | 1.8% | 0.3% | -4 | -0.2pp |
| Persian (excluding Dari) | 71 | 1.6% | 0.4% | 27 | 0.6% | 0.4% | +44 | +1.0pp |
| Not stated | 68 | 1.5% | 4.4% | 121 | 2.7% | 5.8% | -53 | -1.2pp |
| Hindi | 45 | 1.0% | 0.9% | 76 | 1.7% | 0.9% | -31 | -0.7pp |
| Gujarati | 34 | 0.8% | 0.5% | 21 | 0.5% | 0.3% | +13 | +0.3pp |
| Arabic | 24 | 0.5% | 0.6% | 26 | 0.6% | 0.6% | -2 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 4,510 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,427 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +83 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.