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 Alice Springs (T), accounting for 68.3% (17,658 people). This share was higher than Regional NT (43%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 673 people, while its share fell by 0.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Alice Springs (T) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Alice Springs (T) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NT and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Alice Springs (T), with comparison markers for Regional NT.
English
2021 count
17,658
% of total
68.3%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
17,658
68.3%
-0.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,917
% of total
7.4%
Change from 2016
-5.0pp
1,917
7.4%
-5.0pp
Arrernte, nfd
2021 count
468
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
468
1.8%
+1.5pp
Malayalam
2021 count
439
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
439
1.7%
+0.1pp
Punjabi
2021 count
412
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
412
1.6%
+0.9pp
Tagalog
2021 count
286
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
286
1.1%
+0.2pp
Warlpiri
2021 count
274
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
274
1.1%
+0.4pp
Mandarin
2021 count
269
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
269
1.0%
+0.2pp
Western Arrarnta
2021 count
242
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
242
0.9%
+0.5pp
Nepali
2021 count
223
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
223
0.9%
+0.7pp
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+673
-0.3pp
Not stated
-1,159
-5.0pp
Arrernte, nfd
+393
+1.5pp
Malayalam
+34
+0.1pp
Punjabi
+245
+0.9pp
Tagalog
+58
+0.2pp
Warlpiri
+97
+0.4pp
Mandarin
+69
+0.2pp
Western Arrarnta
+153
+0.5pp
Nepali
+164
+0.7pp
Data table
Language used at home for Alice Springs (T). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NT.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional NT% | Count | % | Regional NT% | Count | pp | |
| English | 17,658 | 68.3% | 43.0% | 16,985 | 68.6% | 42.8% | +673 | -0.3pp |
| Not stated | 1,917 | 7.4% | 10.1% | 3,076 | 12.4% | 13.2% | -1,159 | -5.0pp |
| Arrernte, nfd | 468 | 1.8% | 1.4% | 75 | 0.3% | 0.8% | +393 | +1.5pp |
| Malayalam | 439 | 1.7% | 0.6% | 405 | 1.6% | 0.6% | +34 | +0.1pp |
| Punjabi | 412 | 1.6% | 0.5% | 167 | 0.7% | 0.2% | +245 | +0.9pp |
| Tagalog | 286 | 1.1% | 0.6% | 228 | 0.9% | 0.5% | +58 | +0.2pp |
| Warlpiri | 274 | 1.1% | 2.7% | 177 | 0.7% | 2.4% | +97 | +0.4pp |
| Mandarin | 269 | 1.0% | 0.5% | 200 | 0.8% | 0.3% | +69 | +0.2pp |
| Western Arrarnta | 242 | 0.9% | 1.0% | 89 | 0.4% | 0.5% | +153 | +0.5pp |
| Nepali | 223 | 0.9% | 0.5% | 59 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +164 | +0.7pp |
| Total | 25,844 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 24,743 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,101 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.