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 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 spoken at home for West Wodonga in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Wodonga (C) and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for West Wodonga, with comparison markers for Wodonga (C).
English
Not stated
Punjabi
Vietnamese
Tagalog
Mandarin
Swahili
Croatian
Filipino
Italian
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 spoken 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.