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 Wollongbar, accounting for 92.6% (3,009 people). This share was higher than Ballina (A) (89.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 380 people, while its share fell by 0.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Wollongbar - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Wollongbar 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 Wollongbar, with comparison markers for Ballina (A).
English
2021 count
3,009
% of total
92.6%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
3,009
92.6%
-0.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
99
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
99
3.0%
-0.3pp
Spanish
2021 count
30
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
30
0.9%
+0.1pp
Portuguese
2021 count
14
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-
14
0.4%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+380
-0.7pp
Not stated
+7
-0.3pp
Spanish
+8
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Wollongbar. 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 | 3,009 | 92.6% | 89.8% | 2,629 | 93.3% | 89.2% | +380 | -0.7pp |
| Not stated | 99 | 3.0% | 5.5% | 92 | 3.3% | 7.2% | +7 | -0.3pp |
| Spanish | 30 | 0.9% | 0.4% | 22 | 0.8% | 0.2% | +8 | +0.1pp |
| Portuguese | 14 | 0.4% | 0.3% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Total | 3,250 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,819 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +431 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.