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 Zillmere, accounting for 70.6% (6,578 people). This share was lower than Brisbane (C) (71.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 135 people, while its share fell by 1.5 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Zillmere - Total persons (Usual residence)

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

Zillmere
Brisbane (C)

English

2021 count

6,578

% of total

70.6%

Change from 2016

-1.5pp

Not stated

2021 count

674

% of total

7.2%

Change from 2016

+0.8pp

Punjabi

2021 count

451

% of total

4.8%

Change from 2016

-0.7pp

Nepali

2021 count

158

% of total

1.7%

Change from 2016

+0.7pp

Tagalog

2021 count

115

% of total

1.2%

Change from 2016

-0.2pp

Hindi

2021 count

111

% of total

1.2%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Arabic

2021 count

68

% of total

0.7%

Change from 2016

+0.4pp

Spanish

2021 count

66

% of total

0.7%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Filipino

2021 count

63

% of total

0.7%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Telugu

2021 count

58

% of total

0.6%

Change from 2016

+0.3pp

Data table

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

Language used at home for Zillmere. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Brisbane (C).
Language used at home for Zillmere. 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
English6,57870.6%71.6%6,44372.1%71.8%+135-1.5pp
Not stated6747.2%4.4%5716.4%5.8%+103+0.8pp
Punjabi4514.8%1.0%4945.5%0.9%-43-0.7pp
Nepali1581.7%0.5%861.0%0.3%+72+0.7pp
Tagalog1151.2%0.5%1281.4%0.5%-13-0.2pp
Hindi1111.2%0.9%981.1%0.9%+13+0.1pp
Arabic680.7%0.6%230.3%0.6%+45+0.4pp
Spanish660.7%1.1%500.6%0.9%+16+0.1pp
Filipino630.7%0.3%430.5%0.3%+20+0.2pp
Telugu580.6%0.2%310.3%0.2%+27+0.3pp
Total9,311100.0%100.0%8,932100.0%100.0%+3790.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.