Cultural diversity
Language spoken at home
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.
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 spoken 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
English
Central Anmatyerr
Not stated
Eastern Arrernte
Eastern Anmatyerr
Anmatyerr, nfd
Arrernte, nfd
Alyawarr
Kaytetye
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 spoken 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.