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, accounting for 69.1% (7,206 people). This share was lower than Waverley (A) (73.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 766 people and 4.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Bondi - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Bondi 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, with comparison markers for Waverley (A).
English
Not stated
Spanish
Russian
Portuguese
French
Italian
Hebrew
Mandarin
German
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+766
+4.8pp
Not stated
-449
-4.8pp
Spanish
+186
+1.7pp
Russian
-50
-0.6pp
Portuguese
-71
-0.8pp
French
+2
0.0pp
Italian
-22
-0.3pp
Hebrew
+18
+0.2pp
Mandarin
+24
+0.2pp
German
-7
-0.1pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Bondi. 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 | 7,206 | 69.1% | 73.1% | 6,440 | 64.3% | 68.7% | +766 | +4.8pp |
| Not stated | 682 | 6.5% | 5.9% | 1,131 | 11.3% | 10.4% | -449 | -4.8pp |
| Spanish | 469 | 4.5% | 2.9% | 283 | 2.8% | 2.1% | +186 | +1.7pp |
| Russian | 305 | 2.9% | 1.9% | 355 | 3.5% | 2.2% | -50 | -0.6pp |
| Portuguese | 292 | 2.8% | 1.8% | 363 | 3.6% | 1.9% | -71 | -0.8pp |
| French | 217 | 2.1% | 1.9% | 215 | 2.1% | 1.8% | +2 | 0.0pp |
| Italian | 176 | 1.7% | 1.6% | 198 | 2.0% | 1.7% | -22 | -0.3pp |
| Hebrew | 131 | 1.3% | 1.3% | 113 | 1.1% | 1.4% | +18 | +0.2pp |
| Mandarin | 85 | 0.8% | 1.4% | 61 | 0.6% | 1.1% | +24 | +0.2pp |
| German | 83 | 0.8% | 0.8% | 90 | 0.9% | 1.0% | -7 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 10,423 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 10,017 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +406 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.