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, Warlpiri was the most common language used at home among residents in Central Desert (R), accounting for 45.7% (1,623 people). This share was higher than Regional NT (2.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Australian Indigenous Languages, nfd, which decreased by 266 people and 7.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Central Desert (R) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Central Desert (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 Central Desert (R), with comparison markers for Regional NT.
Warlpiri
2021 count
1,623
% of total
45.7%
Change from 2016
+4.1pp
1,623
45.7%
+4.1pp
English
2021 count
568
% of total
16.0%
Change from 2016
+2.4pp
568
16.0%
+2.4pp
Central Anmatyerr
2021 count
478
% of total
13.5%
Change from 2016
-
478
13.5%
-
Not stated
2021 count
280
% of total
7.9%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
280
7.9%
-0.2pp
Eastern Arrernte
2021 count
158
% of total
4.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
158
4.4%
-0.1pp
Eastern Anmatyerr
2021 count
97
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
+2.6pp
97
2.7%
+2.6pp
Anmatyerr, nfd
2021 count
76
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
76
2.1%
-0.4pp
Arrernte, nfd
2021 count
72
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
72
2.0%
-0.6pp
Alyawarr
2021 count
50
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
50
1.4%
+0.2pp
Kaytetye
2021 count
39
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
39
1.1%
+0.3pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Warlpiri
+102
+4.1pp
English
+72
+2.4pp
Not stated
-16
-0.2pp
Eastern Arrernte
-8
-0.1pp
Eastern Anmatyerr
+94
+2.6pp
Anmatyerr, nfd
-16
-0.4pp
Arrernte, nfd
-24
-0.6pp
Alyawarr
+6
+0.2pp
Kaytetye
+10
+0.3pp
Australian Indigenous Languages, nfd
-266
-7.3pp
Data table
Language used at home for Central Desert (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 | |
| Warlpiri | 1,623 | 45.7% | 2.7% | 1,521 | 41.6% | 2.4% | +102 | +4.1pp |
| English | 568 | 16.0% | 43.0% | 496 | 13.6% | 42.8% | +72 | +2.4pp |
| Central Anmatyerr | 478 | 13.5% | 0.5% | - | - | - | - | - |
| Not stated | 280 | 7.9% | 10.1% | 296 | 8.1% | 13.2% | -16 | -0.2pp |
| Eastern Arrernte | 158 | 4.4% | 0.5% | 166 | 4.5% | 0.4% | -8 | -0.1pp |
| Eastern Anmatyerr | 97 | 2.7% | 0.2% | 3 | 0.1% | 0.0% | +94 | +2.6pp |
| Anmatyerr, nfd | 76 | 2.1% | 0.2% | 92 | 2.5% | 0.1% | -16 | -0.4pp |
| Arrernte, nfd | 72 | 2.0% | 1.4% | 96 | 2.6% | 0.8% | -24 | -0.6pp |
| Alyawarr | 50 | 1.4% | 2.1% | 44 | 1.2% | 1.7% | +6 | +0.2pp |
| Kaytetye | 39 | 1.1% | 0.1% | 29 | 0.8% | 0.1% | +10 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 3,551 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,652 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -101 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.