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 Wollongong (C), accounting for 79.8% (171,184 people). This share was lower than Regional NSW (86.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 11,898 people and 1.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Wollongong (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Wollongong (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Wollongong (C), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
English
2021 count
171,184
% of total
79.8%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
171,184
79.8%
+1.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
9,520
% of total
4.4%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
9,520
4.4%
-0.5pp
Macedonian
2021 count
4,535
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
4,535
2.1%
-0.2pp
Arabic
2021 count
2,968
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
2,968
1.4%
0.0pp
Italian
2021 count
2,898
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
2,898
1.4%
-0.4pp
Mandarin
2021 count
2,313
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
2,313
1.1%
-0.4pp
Spanish
2021 count
1,674
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
1,674
0.8%
0.0pp
Greek
2021 count
1,541
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
1,541
0.7%
-0.1pp
Serbian
2021 count
1,533
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
1,533
0.7%
0.0pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
1,115
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
1,115
0.5%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+11,898
+1.6pp
Not stated
-527
-0.5pp
Macedonian
-229
-0.2pp
Arabic
+94
0.0pp
Italian
-779
-0.4pp
Mandarin
-737
-0.4pp
Spanish
+89
0.0pp
Greek
-170
-0.1pp
Serbian
+111
0.0pp
Vietnamese
-16
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Wollongong (C). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NSW.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional NSW% | Count | % | Regional NSW% | Count | pp | |
| English | 171,184 | 79.8% | 86.8% | 159,286 | 78.2% | 87.1% | +11,898 | +1.6pp |
| Not stated | 9,520 | 4.4% | 6.6% | 10,047 | 4.9% | 7.1% | -527 | -0.5pp |
| Macedonian | 4,535 | 2.1% | 0.3% | 4,764 | 2.3% | 0.3% | -229 | -0.2pp |
| Arabic | 2,968 | 1.4% | 0.3% | 2,874 | 1.4% | 0.3% | +94 | 0.0pp |
| Italian | 2,898 | 1.4% | 0.4% | 3,677 | 1.8% | 0.5% | -779 | -0.4pp |
| Mandarin | 2,313 | 1.1% | 0.4% | 3,050 | 1.5% | 0.4% | -737 | -0.4pp |
| Spanish | 1,674 | 0.8% | 0.3% | 1,585 | 0.8% | 0.2% | +89 | 0.0pp |
| Greek | 1,541 | 0.7% | 0.2% | 1,711 | 0.8% | 0.2% | -170 | -0.1pp |
| Serbian | 1,533 | 0.7% | 0.1% | 1,422 | 0.7% | 0.1% | +111 | 0.0pp |
| Vietnamese | 1,115 | 0.5% | 0.2% | 1,131 | 0.6% | 0.1% | -16 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 214,524 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 203,639 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +10,885 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.