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 Bronte, accounting for 81.3% (5,820 people). This share was higher than Waverley (A) (73.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 548 people and 2.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Bronte - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Bronte in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Waverley (A) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Bronte, with comparison markers for Waverley (A).
English
2021 count
5,820
% of total
81.3%
Change from 2016
+2.8pp
5,820
81.3%
+2.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
389
% of total
5.4%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
389
5.4%
-1.9pp
French
2021 count
119
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
119
1.7%
-0.3pp
Greek
2021 count
102
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
102
1.4%
+0.2pp
Spanish
2021 count
100
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
100
1.4%
+0.3pp
Italian
2021 count
88
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
88
1.2%
-0.2pp
German
2021 count
78
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
78
1.1%
0.0pp
Portuguese
2021 count
65
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
65
0.9%
-0.3pp
Russian
2021 count
58
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
58
0.8%
-0.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
35
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
35
0.5%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+548
+2.8pp
Not stated
-104
-1.9pp
French
-18
-0.3pp
Greek
+22
+0.2pp
Spanish
+26
+0.3pp
Italian
-6
-0.2pp
German
+3
0.0pp
Portuguese
-16
-0.3pp
Russian
0
-0.1pp
Mandarin
-1
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Bronte. 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 | 5,820 | 81.3% | 73.1% | 5,272 | 78.5% | 68.7% | +548 | +2.8pp |
| Not stated | 389 | 5.4% | 5.9% | 493 | 7.3% | 10.4% | -104 | -1.9pp |
| French | 119 | 1.7% | 1.9% | 137 | 2.0% | 1.8% | -18 | -0.3pp |
| Greek | 102 | 1.4% | 1.1% | 80 | 1.2% | 1.0% | +22 | +0.2pp |
| Spanish | 100 | 1.4% | 2.9% | 74 | 1.1% | 2.1% | +26 | +0.3pp |
| Italian | 88 | 1.2% | 1.6% | 94 | 1.4% | 1.7% | -6 | -0.2pp |
| German | 78 | 1.1% | 0.8% | 75 | 1.1% | 1.0% | +3 | 0.0pp |
| Portuguese | 65 | 0.9% | 1.8% | 81 | 1.2% | 1.9% | -16 | -0.3pp |
| Russian | 58 | 0.8% | 1.9% | 58 | 0.9% | 2.2% | 0 | -0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 35 | 0.5% | 1.4% | 36 | 0.5% | 1.1% | -1 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 7,159 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,718 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +441 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.