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 Barkly (R), accounting for 41.2% (2,598 people). This share was lower than Regional NT (43%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Australian Indigenous Languages, nfd, which decreased by 566 people and 8.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Barkly (R) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Barkly (R) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NT and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Barkly (R), with comparison markers for Regional NT.
English
2021 count
2,598
% of total
41.2%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
2,598
41.2%
+1.2pp
Alyawarr
2021 count
1,727
% of total
27.4%
Change from 2016
+6.2pp
1,727
27.4%
+6.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
561
% of total
8.9%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
561
8.9%
-1.5pp
Warumungu
2021 count
345
% of total
5.5%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
345
5.5%
+1.1pp
Warlpiri
2021 count
295
% of total
4.7%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
295
4.7%
+0.8pp
Mudburra
2021 count
117
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
117
1.9%
+0.6pp
Kaytetye
2021 count
52
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
52
0.8%
-0.2pp
Malayalam
2021 count
37
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
37
0.6%
+0.1pp
Tagalog
2021 count
37
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
37
0.6%
+0.3pp
Nepali
2021 count
36
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
36
0.6%
+0.4pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-61
+1.2pp
Alyawarr
+314
+6.2pp
Not stated
-132
-1.5pp
Warumungu
+54
+1.1pp
Warlpiri
+35
+0.8pp
Mudburra
+33
+0.6pp
Kaytetye
-16
-0.2pp
Malayalam
+4
+0.1pp
Tagalog
+16
+0.3pp
Nepali
+25
+0.4pp
Data table
Language used at home for Barkly (R). 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 | 2,598 | 41.2% | 43.0% | 2,659 | 40.0% | 42.8% | -61 | +1.2pp |
| Alyawarr | 1,727 | 27.4% | 2.1% | 1,413 | 21.2% | 1.7% | +314 | +6.2pp |
| Not stated | 561 | 8.9% | 10.1% | 693 | 10.4% | 13.2% | -132 | -1.5pp |
| Warumungu | 345 | 5.5% | 0.4% | 291 | 4.4% | 0.3% | +54 | +1.1pp |
| Warlpiri | 295 | 4.7% | 2.7% | 260 | 3.9% | 2.4% | +35 | +0.8pp |
| Mudburra | 117 | 1.9% | 0.1% | 84 | 1.3% | 0.1% | +33 | +0.6pp |
| Kaytetye | 52 | 0.8% | 0.1% | 68 | 1.0% | 0.1% | -16 | -0.2pp |
| Malayalam | 37 | 0.6% | 0.6% | 33 | 0.5% | 0.6% | +4 | +0.1pp |
| Tagalog | 37 | 0.6% | 0.6% | 21 | 0.3% | 0.5% | +16 | +0.3pp |
| Nepali | 36 | 0.6% | 0.5% | 11 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +25 | +0.4pp |
| Total | 6,303 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,655 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -352 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.