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, Wik Mungkan was the most common language used at home among residents in Aurukun, accounting for 70.9% (776 people). This share was similar to Aurukun (S) (70.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Cape York Peninsula Languages, nec, which decreased by 770 people and 61.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Aurukun - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Aurukun in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Aurukun (S) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Aurukun, with comparison markers for Aurukun (S).
Wik Mungkan
2021 count
776
% of total
70.9%
Change from 2016
+56.0pp
776
70.9%
+56.0pp
Cape York Peninsula Languages, nfd
2021 count
117
% of total
10.7%
Change from 2016
-
117
10.7%
-
English
2021 count
102
% of total
9.3%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
102
9.3%
-1.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
76
% of total
6.9%
Change from 2016
+4.7pp
76
6.9%
+4.7pp
Yumplatok (Torres Strait Creole)
2021 count
11
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
11
1.0%
+0.8pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Wik Mungkan
+589
+56.0pp
English
-27
-1.0pp
Not stated
+48
+4.7pp
Yumplatok (Torres Strait Creole)
+8
+0.8pp
Data table
Language used at home for Aurukun. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Aurukun (S).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Aurukun (S)% | Count | % | Aurukun (S)% | Count | pp | |
| Wik Mungkan | 776 | 70.9% | 70.9% | 187 | 14.9% | 14.9% | +589 | +56.0pp |
| Cape York Peninsula Languages, nfd | 117 | 10.7% | 10.7% | - | - | - | - | - |
| English | 102 | 9.3% | 9.3% | 129 | 10.3% | 10.3% | -27 | -1.0pp |
| Not stated | 76 | 6.9% | 6.9% | 28 | 2.2% | 2.2% | +48 | +4.7pp |
| Yumplatok (Torres Strait Creole) | 11 | 1.0% | 1.0% | 3 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +8 | +0.8pp |
| Total | 1,095 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,258 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -163 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.