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 Bondi Beach, accounting for 72.3% (8,303 people). This share was lower than Waverley (A) (73.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 744 people and 7.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Bondi Beach - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Bondi Beach in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Waverley (A) and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Bondi Beach, with comparison markers for Waverley (A).
English
Not stated
Spanish
French
Italian
Portuguese
Russian
German
Greek
Dutch
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+744
+7.3pp
Not stated
-874
-7.4pp
Spanish
+91
+0.9pp
French
+46
+0.4pp
Italian
-8
0.0pp
Portuguese
-37
-0.3pp
Russian
-50
-0.4pp
German
-28
-0.3pp
Greek
-25
-0.2pp
Dutch
+26
+0.3pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Bondi Beach. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Waverley (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Waverley (A)% | Count | % | Waverley (A)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 8,303 | 72.3% | 73.1% | 7,559 | 65.0% | 68.7% | +744 | +7.3pp |
| Not stated | 777 | 6.8% | 5.9% | 1,651 | 14.2% | 10.4% | -874 | -7.4pp |
| Spanish | 501 | 4.4% | 2.9% | 410 | 3.5% | 2.1% | +91 | +0.9pp |
| French | 332 | 2.9% | 1.9% | 286 | 2.5% | 1.8% | +46 | +0.4pp |
| Italian | 218 | 1.9% | 1.6% | 226 | 1.9% | 1.7% | -8 | 0.0pp |
| Portuguese | 207 | 1.8% | 1.8% | 244 | 2.1% | 1.9% | -37 | -0.3pp |
| Russian | 150 | 1.3% | 1.9% | 200 | 1.7% | 2.2% | -50 | -0.4pp |
| German | 130 | 1.1% | 0.8% | 158 | 1.4% | 1.0% | -28 | -0.3pp |
| Greek | 82 | 0.7% | 1.1% | 107 | 0.9% | 1.0% | -25 | -0.2pp |
| Dutch | 78 | 0.7% | 0.3% | 52 | 0.4% | 0.3% | +26 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 11,481 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 11,632 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -151 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.