Cultural diversity
Language spoken at home
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.
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 Ballarat (C), accounting for 88.1% (100,172 people). This share was higher than Regional Vic. (86.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 10,175 people, while its share fell by 0.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Ballarat (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Ballarat (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Vic. and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Ballarat (C), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
English
Not stated
Mandarin
Punjabi
Malayalam
Hindi
Urdu
Spanish
Filipino
Tagalog
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+10,175
-0.5pp
Not stated
-578
-1.2pp
Mandarin
+114
+0.1pp
Punjabi
+516
+0.5pp
Malayalam
+233
+0.2pp
Hindi
+163
+0.1pp
Urdu
+142
+0.1pp
Spanish
+123
+0.1pp
Filipino
+88
+0.1pp
Tagalog
+51
0.0pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Ballarat (C). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Vic..
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Vic.% | Count | % | Regional Vic.% | Count | pp | |
| English | 100,172 | 88.1% | 86.4% | 89,997 | 88.6% | 86.6% | +10,175 | -0.5pp |
| Not stated | 5,612 | 4.9% | 6.5% | 6,190 | 6.1% | 7.4% | -578 | -1.2pp |
| Mandarin | 968 | 0.9% | 0.6% | 854 | 0.8% | 0.5% | +114 | +0.1pp |
| Punjabi | 764 | 0.7% | 0.5% | 248 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +516 | +0.5pp |
| Malayalam | 466 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 233 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +233 | +0.2pp |
| Hindi | 387 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 224 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +163 | +0.1pp |
| Urdu | 233 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 91 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +142 | +0.1pp |
| Spanish | 227 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 104 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +123 | +0.1pp |
| Filipino | 221 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 133 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +88 | +0.1pp |
| Tagalog | 220 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 169 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +51 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 113,714 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 101,622 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +12,092 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.