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 Ormiston, accounting for 88.6% (5,639 people). This share was lower than Redland (C) (88.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 494 people, while its share fell by 0.2 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Ormiston - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises language used at home for Ormiston in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Redland (C) and change since 2016.

Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Ormiston, with comparison markers for Redland (C).

Ormiston
Redland (C)

English

2021 count

5,639

% of total

88.6%

Change from 2016

-0.2pp

Not stated

2021 count

160

% of total

2.5%

Change from 2016

-0.9pp

Mandarin

2021 count

94

% of total

1.5%

Change from 2016

+0.7pp

Afrikaans

2021 count

72

% of total

1.1%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Russian

2021 count

29

% of total

0.5%

Change from 2016

+0.3pp

Italian

2021 count

26

% of total

0.4%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

German

2021 count

25

% of total

0.4%

Change from 2016

-0.2pp

Spanish

2021 count

24

% of total

0.4%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Cantonese

2021 count

21

% of total

0.3%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Greek

2021 count

17

% of total

0.3%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Data table

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

Language used at home for Ormiston. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Redland (C).
Language used at home for Ormiston. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Redland (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Redland (C)%Count%Redland (C)%Countpp
English5,63988.6%88.9%5,14588.8%88.9%+494-0.2pp
Not stated1602.5%3.6%1993.4%4.4%-39-0.9pp
Mandarin941.5%0.6%480.8%0.5%+46+0.7pp
Afrikaans721.1%0.6%510.9%0.5%+21+0.2pp
Russian290.5%0.2%130.2%0.1%+16+0.3pp
Italian260.4%0.2%230.4%0.3%+30.0pp
German250.4%0.3%320.6%0.4%-7-0.2pp
Spanish240.4%0.4%130.2%0.3%+11+0.2pp
Cantonese210.3%0.2%200.3%0.2%+10.0pp
Greek170.3%0.2%200.3%0.2%-30.0pp
Total6,365100.0%100.0%5,795100.0%100.0%+5700.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.