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 West Wodonga, accounting for 89.6% (13,257 people). This share was higher than Wodonga (C) (88.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 92 people, while its share fell by 0.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
West Wodonga - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for West Wodonga in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Wodonga (C) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for West Wodonga, with comparison markers for Wodonga (C).
English
2021 count
13,257
% of total
89.6%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
13,257
89.6%
-0.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
777
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
777
5.3%
+0.2pp
Punjabi
2021 count
53
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
53
0.4%
+0.1pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
53
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
53
0.4%
+0.4pp
Tagalog
2021 count
52
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
52
0.4%
+0.3pp
Mandarin
2021 count
49
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
49
0.3%
0.0pp
Swahili
2021 count
45
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
45
0.3%
+0.2pp
Croatian
2021 count
41
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
41
0.3%
+0.1pp
Filipino
2021 count
38
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
38
0.3%
+0.2pp
Italian
2021 count
31
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
31
0.2%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+92
-0.8pp
Not stated
+41
+0.2pp
Punjabi
+5
+0.1pp
Vietnamese
+47
+0.4pp
Tagalog
+31
+0.3pp
Mandarin
+10
0.0pp
Swahili
+27
+0.2pp
Croatian
+6
+0.1pp
Filipino
+19
+0.2pp
Italian
-15
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for West Wodonga. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Wodonga (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Wodonga (C)% | Count | % | Wodonga (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 13,257 | 89.6% | 88.1% | 13,165 | 90.4% | 88.0% | +92 | -0.8pp |
| Not stated | 777 | 5.3% | 5.0% | 736 | 5.1% | 6.1% | +41 | +0.2pp |
| Punjabi | 53 | 0.4% | 0.4% | 48 | 0.3% | 0.3% | +5 | +0.1pp |
| Vietnamese | 53 | 0.4% | 0.5% | 6 | 0.0% | 0.0% | +47 | +0.4pp |
| Tagalog | 52 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 21 | 0.1% | 0.3% | +31 | +0.3pp |
| Mandarin | 49 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 39 | 0.3% | 0.3% | +10 | 0.0pp |
| Swahili | 45 | 0.3% | 0.6% | 18 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +27 | +0.2pp |
| Croatian | 41 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 35 | 0.2% | 0.3% | +6 | +0.1pp |
| Filipino | 38 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 19 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +19 | +0.2pp |
| Italian | 31 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 46 | 0.3% | 0.3% | -15 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 14,788 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 14,568 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +220 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.