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, Alyawarr was the most common language used at home among residents in Ampilatwatja, accounting for 85.1% (361 people). This share was higher than Barkly (R) (27.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Alyawarr, which decreased by 6 people and 4.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Ampilatwatja - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Ampilatwatja in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Barkly (R) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Ampilatwatja, with comparison markers for Barkly (R).
Alyawarr
2021 count
361
% of total
85.1%
Change from 2016
-4.4pp
361
85.1%
-4.4pp
English
2021 count
28
% of total
6.6%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
28
6.6%
-1.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
22
% of total
5.2%
Change from 2016
+2.8pp
22
5.2%
+2.8pp
Other Australian Indigenous Languages, nec
2021 count
10
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
-
10
2.4%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Alyawarr
-6
-4.4pp
English
-5
-1.4pp
Not stated
+12
+2.8pp
Data table
Language used at home for Ampilatwatja. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Barkly (R).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Barkly (R)% | Count | % | Barkly (R)% | Count | pp | |
| Alyawarr | 361 | 85.1% | 27.4% | 367 | 89.5% | 21.2% | -6 | -4.4pp |
| English | 28 | 6.6% | 41.2% | 33 | 8.0% | 40.0% | -5 | -1.4pp |
| Not stated | 22 | 5.2% | 8.9% | 10 | 2.4% | 10.4% | +12 | +2.8pp |
| Other Australian Indigenous Languages, nec | 10 | 2.4% | 0.4% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Total | 424 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 410 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +14 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.