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 Scenic Rim (R), accounting for 89.5% (38,455 people). This share was higher than Greater Brisbane (77.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 2,818 people and 0.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Scenic Rim (R) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Scenic Rim (R) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Brisbane and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Scenic Rim (R), with comparison markers for Greater Brisbane.
English
2021 count
38,455
% of total
89.5%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
38,455
89.5%
+0.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
3,006
% of total
7.0%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
3,006
7.0%
-0.9pp
German
2021 count
155
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
155
0.4%
-0.1pp
Korean
2021 count
105
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
105
0.2%
0.0pp
Mandarin
2021 count
93
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
93
0.2%
+0.1pp
Spanish
2021 count
75
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
75
0.2%
+0.1pp
French
2021 count
72
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
72
0.2%
0.0pp
Japanese
2021 count
69
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
69
0.2%
0.0pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
65
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
65
0.2%
+0.1pp
Dutch
2021 count
59
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
59
0.1%
-0.1pp
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+2,818
+0.6pp
Not stated
-145
-0.9pp
German
-28
-0.1pp
Korean
+21
0.0pp
Mandarin
+45
+0.1pp
Spanish
+34
+0.1pp
French
+9
0.0pp
Japanese
-6
0.0pp
Afrikaans
+16
+0.1pp
Dutch
-6
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Scenic Rim (R). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Brisbane.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Brisbane% | Count | % | Greater Brisbane% | Count | pp | |
| English | 38,455 | 89.5% | 77.3% | 35,637 | 88.9% | 78.0% | +2,818 | +0.6pp |
| Not stated | 3,006 | 7.0% | 5.0% | 3,151 | 7.9% | 5.9% | -145 | -0.9pp |
| German | 155 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 183 | 0.5% | 0.3% | -28 | -0.1pp |
| Korean | 105 | 0.2% | 0.6% | 84 | 0.2% | 0.6% | +21 | 0.0pp |
| Mandarin | 93 | 0.2% | 2.5% | 48 | 0.1% | 2.4% | +45 | +0.1pp |
| Spanish | 75 | 0.2% | 0.8% | 41 | 0.1% | 0.7% | +34 | +0.1pp |
| French | 72 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 63 | 0.2% | 0.3% | +9 | 0.0pp |
| Japanese | 69 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 75 | 0.2% | 0.3% | -6 | 0.0pp |
| Afrikaans | 65 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 49 | 0.1% | 0.3% | +16 | +0.1pp |
| Dutch | 59 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 65 | 0.2% | 0.2% | -6 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 42,970 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 40,066 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,904 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.