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 East Ballina, accounting for 91.5% (5,365 people). This share was higher than Ballina (A) (89.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 2,473 people and 5.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
East Ballina - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for East 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 East Ballina, with comparison markers for Ballina (A).
English
2021 count
5,365
% of total
91.5%
Change from 2016
+5.8pp
5,365
91.5%
+5.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
268
% of total
4.6%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
268
4.6%
+0.3pp
Portuguese
2021 count
27
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
27
0.5%
+0.4pp
German
2021 count
25
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
25
0.4%
-0.1pp
French
2021 count
23
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
23
0.4%
+0.2pp
Japanese
2021 count
22
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
22
0.4%
+0.2pp
Thai
2021 count
17
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
17
0.3%
+0.1pp
Spanish
2021 count
15
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
15
0.3%
-0.3pp
Auslan
2021 count
12
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-
12
0.2%
-
Greek
2021 count
10
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
10
0.2%
-0.7pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+2,473
+5.8pp
Not stated
+123
+0.3pp
Portuguese
+22
+0.4pp
German
+8
-0.1pp
French
+16
+0.2pp
Japanese
+15
+0.2pp
Thai
+9
+0.1pp
Spanish
-6
-0.3pp
Greek
-19
-0.7pp
Croatian
-2
-0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for East 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 | 5,365 | 91.5% | 89.8% | 2,892 | 85.7% | 89.2% | +2,473 | +5.8pp |
| Not stated | 268 | 4.6% | 5.5% | 145 | 4.3% | 7.2% | +123 | +0.3pp |
| Portuguese | 27 | 0.5% | 0.3% | 5 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +22 | +0.4pp |
| German | 25 | 0.4% | 0.4% | 17 | 0.5% | 0.3% | +8 | -0.1pp |
| French | 23 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 7 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +16 | +0.2pp |
| Japanese | 22 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 7 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +15 | +0.2pp |
| Thai | 17 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 8 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +9 | +0.1pp |
| Spanish | 15 | 0.3% | 0.4% | 21 | 0.6% | 0.2% | -6 | -0.3pp |
| Auslan | 12 | 0.2% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Greek | 10 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 29 | 0.9% | 0.1% | -19 | -0.7pp |
| Total | 5,862 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,373 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,489 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.