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 Ballina (A), accounting for 89.8% (41,545 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (86.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 4,333 people and 0.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Ballina (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Ballina (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Ballina (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
English
2021 count
41,545
% of total
89.8%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
41,545
89.8%
+0.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
2,554
% of total
5.5%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
2,554
5.5%
-1.7pp
German
2021 count
167
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
167
0.4%
+0.1pp
Spanish
2021 count
163
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
163
0.4%
+0.2pp
Italian
2021 count
151
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
151
0.3%
0.0pp
French
2021 count
146
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
146
0.3%
+0.1pp
Thai
2021 count
130
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
130
0.3%
+0.2pp
Portuguese
2021 count
125
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
125
0.3%
+0.2pp
Punjabi
2021 count
108
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
108
0.2%
+0.1pp
Japanese
2021 count
101
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
101
0.2%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+4,333
+0.6pp
Not stated
-438
-1.7pp
German
+24
+0.1pp
Spanish
+59
+0.2pp
Italian
+12
0.0pp
French
+45
+0.1pp
Thai
+72
+0.2pp
Portuguese
+80
+0.2pp
Punjabi
+59
+0.1pp
Japanese
+29
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Ballina (A). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NSW.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional NSW% | Count | % | Regional NSW% | Count | pp | |
| English | 41,545 | 89.8% | 86.8% | 37,212 | 89.2% | 87.1% | +4,333 | +0.6pp |
| Not stated | 2,554 | 5.5% | 6.6% | 2,992 | 7.2% | 7.1% | -438 | -1.7pp |
| German | 167 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 143 | 0.3% | 0.3% | +24 | +0.1pp |
| Spanish | 163 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 104 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +59 | +0.2pp |
| Italian | 151 | 0.3% | 0.4% | 139 | 0.3% | 0.5% | +12 | 0.0pp |
| French | 146 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 101 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +45 | +0.1pp |
| Thai | 130 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 58 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +72 | +0.2pp |
| Portuguese | 125 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 45 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +80 | +0.2pp |
| Punjabi | 108 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 49 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +59 | +0.1pp |
| Japanese | 101 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 72 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +29 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 46,288 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 41,733 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +4,555 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.