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 North Bondi, accounting for 77.3% (7,198 people). This share was higher than Waverley (A) (73.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 330 people and 2.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
North Bondi - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for North Bondi 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 North Bondi, with comparison markers for Waverley (A).
English
2021 count
7,198
% of total
77.3%
Change from 2016
+2.4pp
7,198
77.3%
+2.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
494
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
-3.0pp
494
5.3%
-3.0pp
Spanish
2021 count
203
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
203
2.2%
+0.8pp
French
2021 count
170
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
170
1.8%
+0.3pp
Italian
2021 count
164
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
164
1.8%
+0.1pp
Hebrew
2021 count
164
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
164
1.8%
0.0pp
Portuguese
2021 count
123
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
123
1.3%
-0.4pp
Russian
2021 count
123
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
123
1.3%
0.0pp
German
2021 count
103
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
103
1.1%
0.0pp
Greek
2021 count
93
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
93
1.0%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+330
+2.4pp
Not stated
-269
-3.0pp
Spanish
+74
+0.8pp
French
+34
+0.3pp
Italian
+10
+0.1pp
Hebrew
+1
0.0pp
Portuguese
-30
-0.4pp
Russian
0
0.0pp
German
0
0.0pp
Greek
+17
+0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for North 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 | 7,198 | 77.3% | 73.1% | 6,868 | 74.9% | 68.7% | +330 | +2.4pp |
| Not stated | 494 | 5.3% | 5.9% | 763 | 8.3% | 10.4% | -269 | -3.0pp |
| Spanish | 203 | 2.2% | 2.9% | 129 | 1.4% | 2.1% | +74 | +0.8pp |
| French | 170 | 1.8% | 1.9% | 136 | 1.5% | 1.8% | +34 | +0.3pp |
| Italian | 164 | 1.8% | 1.6% | 154 | 1.7% | 1.7% | +10 | +0.1pp |
| Hebrew | 164 | 1.8% | 1.3% | 163 | 1.8% | 1.4% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Portuguese | 123 | 1.3% | 1.8% | 153 | 1.7% | 1.9% | -30 | -0.4pp |
| Russian | 123 | 1.3% | 1.9% | 123 | 1.3% | 2.2% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| German | 103 | 1.1% | 0.8% | 103 | 1.1% | 1.0% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Greek | 93 | 1.0% | 1.1% | 76 | 0.8% | 1.0% | +17 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 9,308 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 9,166 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +142 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.