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 Ballina, accounting for 86.8% (8,434 people). This share was lower than Ballina (A) (89.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,079 people and 1.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Ballina - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Ballina in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Ballina (A) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Ballina, with comparison markers for Ballina (A).
English
Not stated
Punjabi
Thai
Italian
Spanish
Portuguese
Mandarin
Japanese
Hindi
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,079
+1.8pp
Not stated
-229
-3.6pp
Punjabi
+47
+0.5pp
Thai
+29
+0.3pp
Italian
+6
0.0pp
Spanish
+15
+0.2pp
Portuguese
+14
+0.2pp
Mandarin
-5
0.0pp
Japanese
+15
+0.2pp
Hindi
+5
0.0pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Ballina. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Ballina (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Ballina (A)% | Count | % | Ballina (A)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 8,434 | 86.8% | 89.8% | 7,355 | 85.0% | 89.2% | +1,079 | +1.8pp |
| Not stated | 750 | 7.7% | 5.5% | 979 | 11.3% | 7.2% | -229 | -3.6pp |
| Punjabi | 74 | 0.8% | 0.2% | 27 | 0.3% | 0.1% | +47 | +0.5pp |
| Thai | 39 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 10 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +29 | +0.3pp |
| Italian | 29 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 23 | 0.3% | 0.3% | +6 | 0.0pp |
| Spanish | 26 | 0.3% | 0.4% | 11 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +15 | +0.2pp |
| Portuguese | 25 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 11 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +14 | +0.2pp |
| Mandarin | 25 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 30 | 0.3% | 0.2% | -5 | 0.0pp |
| Japanese | 25 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 10 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +15 | +0.2pp |
| Hindi | 22 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 17 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +5 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 9,721 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 8,654 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,067 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.