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 West Ballina, accounting for 89.3% (2,876 people). This share was lower than Ballina (A) (89.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 206 people and 0.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
West Ballina - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for West 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 West Ballina, with comparison markers for Ballina (A).
English
2021 count
2,876
% of total
89.3%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
2,876
89.3%
+0.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
244
% of total
7.6%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
244
7.6%
-0.9pp
Italian
2021 count
15
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
15
0.5%
+0.2pp
German
2021 count
13
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
13
0.4%
+0.1pp
Thai
2021 count
11
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
11
0.3%
+0.2pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
10
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
10
0.3%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+206
+0.7pp
Not stated
-13
-0.9pp
Italian
+5
+0.2pp
German
+3
+0.1pp
Thai
+8
+0.2pp
Vietnamese
0
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for West 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 | 2,876 | 89.3% | 89.8% | 2,670 | 88.6% | 89.2% | +206 | +0.7pp |
| Not stated | 244 | 7.6% | 5.5% | 257 | 8.5% | 7.2% | -13 | -0.9pp |
| Italian | 15 | 0.5% | 0.3% | 10 | 0.3% | 0.3% | +5 | +0.2pp |
| German | 13 | 0.4% | 0.4% | 10 | 0.3% | 0.3% | +3 | +0.1pp |
| Thai | 11 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 3 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +8 | +0.2pp |
| Vietnamese | 10 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 10 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 3,221 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,014 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +207 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.