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 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 271 people, while its share fell by 0.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
East Ballina - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for East Ballina in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Ballina (A) and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for East Ballina, with comparison markers for Ballina (A).
English
Not stated
Portuguese
German
French
Japanese
Thai
Spanish
Auslan
Greek
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+271
-0.2pp
Not stated
+9
-0.1pp
Portuguese
+5
+0.1pp
German
-1
-0.1pp
French
+2
0.0pp
Japanese
+3
+0.1pp
Thai
+9
+0.2pp
Spanish
+4
+0.1pp
Auslan
+5
+0.1pp
Greek
+7
+0.1pp
Data table
Language spoken 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% | 5,094 | 91.7% | 89.2% | +271 | -0.2pp |
| Not stated | 268 | 4.6% | 5.5% | 259 | 4.7% | 7.2% | +9 | -0.1pp |
| Portuguese | 27 | 0.5% | 0.3% | 22 | 0.4% | 0.1% | +5 | +0.1pp |
| German | 25 | 0.4% | 0.4% | 26 | 0.5% | 0.3% | -1 | -0.1pp |
| French | 23 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 21 | 0.4% | 0.2% | +2 | 0.0pp |
| Japanese | 22 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 19 | 0.3% | 0.2% | +3 | +0.1pp |
| Thai | 17 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 8 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +9 | +0.2pp |
| Spanish | 15 | 0.3% | 0.4% | 11 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +4 | +0.1pp |
| Auslan | 12 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 7 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +5 | +0.1pp |
| Greek | 10 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 3 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +7 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 5,862 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,554 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +308 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.