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 Harvey, accounting for 73.4% (2,534 people). This share was lower than Harvey (S) (87.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 106 people, while its share fell by 0.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Harvey - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Harvey in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Harvey (S) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Harvey, with comparison markers for Harvey (S).
English
2021 count
2,534
% of total
73.4%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
2,534
73.4%
-0.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
207
% of total
6.0%
Change from 2016
-2.3pp
207
6.0%
-2.3pp
Filipino
2021 count
183
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
183
5.3%
+1.2pp
Italian
2021 count
176
% of total
5.1%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
176
5.1%
-0.6pp
Tagalog
2021 count
112
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
112
3.2%
-0.9pp
Mandarin
2021 count
79
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
79
2.3%
+0.6pp
Bisaya
2021 count
43
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
43
1.2%
+1.0pp
Tongan
2021 count
17
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
17
0.5%
+0.3pp
Cebuano
2021 count
11
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
11
0.3%
-0.2pp
Korean
2021 count
10
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
10
0.3%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+106
-0.3pp
Not stated
-67
-2.3pp
Filipino
+48
+1.2pp
Italian
-11
-0.6pp
Tagalog
-22
-0.9pp
Mandarin
+22
+0.6pp
Bisaya
+37
+1.0pp
Tongan
+12
+0.3pp
Cebuano
-5
-0.2pp
Korean
-3
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Harvey. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Harvey (S).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Harvey (S)% | Count | % | Harvey (S)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 2,534 | 73.4% | 87.2% | 2,428 | 73.7% | 86.0% | +106 | -0.3pp |
| Not stated | 207 | 6.0% | 5.0% | 274 | 8.3% | 7.3% | -67 | -2.3pp |
| Filipino | 183 | 5.3% | 0.8% | 135 | 4.1% | 0.6% | +48 | +1.2pp |
| Italian | 176 | 5.1% | 1.2% | 187 | 5.7% | 1.4% | -11 | -0.6pp |
| Tagalog | 112 | 3.2% | 0.6% | 134 | 4.1% | 0.7% | -22 | -0.9pp |
| Mandarin | 79 | 2.3% | 0.8% | 57 | 1.7% | 0.6% | +22 | +0.6pp |
| Bisaya | 43 | 1.2% | 0.2% | 6 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +37 | +1.0pp |
| Tongan | 17 | 0.5% | 0.1% | 5 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +12 | +0.3pp |
| Cebuano | 11 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 16 | 0.5% | 0.1% | -5 | -0.2pp |
| Korean | 10 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 13 | 0.4% | 0.1% | -3 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 3,454 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,296 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +158 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.