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 Wodonga (C), accounting for 88.1% (38,096 people). This share was higher than Regional Vic. (86.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 3,519 people and 0.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Wodonga (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Wodonga (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Vic. and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Wodonga (C), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
English
2021 count
38,096
% of total
88.1%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
38,096
88.1%
+0.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
2,165
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
2,165
5.0%
-1.1pp
Swahili
2021 count
279
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
279
0.6%
+0.4pp
Nepali
2021 count
217
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
217
0.5%
0.0pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
206
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
206
0.5%
+0.5pp
Punjabi
2021 count
187
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
187
0.4%
+0.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
134
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
134
0.3%
0.0pp
Tagalog
2021 count
115
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
115
0.3%
0.0pp
German
2021 count
109
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
109
0.3%
-0.1pp
Croatian
2021 count
99
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
99
0.2%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+3,519
+0.1pp
Not stated
-241
-1.1pp
Swahili
+212
+0.4pp
Nepali
+24
0.0pp
Vietnamese
+190
+0.5pp
Punjabi
+61
+0.1pp
Mandarin
+33
0.0pp
Tagalog
+14
0.0pp
German
-63
-0.1pp
Croatian
-7
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Wodonga (C). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Vic..
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Vic.% | Count | % | Regional Vic.% | Count | pp | |
| English | 38,096 | 88.1% | 86.4% | 34,577 | 88.0% | 86.6% | +3,519 | +0.1pp |
| Not stated | 2,165 | 5.0% | 6.5% | 2,406 | 6.1% | 7.4% | -241 | -1.1pp |
| Swahili | 279 | 0.6% | 0.1% | 67 | 0.2% | 0.0% | +212 | +0.4pp |
| Nepali | 217 | 0.5% | 0.1% | 193 | 0.5% | 0.0% | +24 | 0.0pp |
| Vietnamese | 206 | 0.5% | 0.2% | 16 | 0.0% | 0.1% | +190 | +0.5pp |
| Punjabi | 187 | 0.4% | 0.5% | 126 | 0.3% | 0.2% | +61 | +0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 134 | 0.3% | 0.6% | 101 | 0.3% | 0.5% | +33 | 0.0pp |
| Tagalog | 115 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 101 | 0.3% | 0.2% | +14 | 0.0pp |
| German | 109 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 172 | 0.4% | 0.2% | -63 | -0.1pp |
| Croatian | 99 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 106 | 0.3% | 0.2% | -7 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 43,229 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 39,314 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +3,915 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.