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 Darwin (C), accounting for 60.8% (48,953 people). This share was lower than Greater Darwin (66.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Nepali, which increased by 1,439 people and 1.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Darwin (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Darwin (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Darwin and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Darwin (C), with comparison markers for Greater Darwin.
English
2021 count
48,953
% of total
60.8%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
48,953
60.8%
-1.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
6,882
% of total
8.5%
Change from 2016
-2.4pp
6,882
8.5%
-2.4pp
Greek
2021 count
2,690
% of total
3.3%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
2,690
3.3%
-0.2pp
Nepali
2021 count
2,401
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
2,401
3.0%
+1.8pp
Mandarin
2021 count
1,735
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
1,735
2.2%
+0.2pp
Tagalog
2021 count
1,628
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
1,628
2.0%
-0.2pp
Filipino
2021 count
1,107
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
1,107
1.4%
-0.1pp
Malayalam
2021 count
936
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
936
1.2%
+0.3pp
Indonesian
2021 count
914
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
914
1.1%
+0.1pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
873
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
873
1.1%
+0.4pp
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-155
-1.6pp
Not stated
-1,669
-2.4pp
Greek
-101
-0.2pp
Nepali
+1,439
+1.8pp
Mandarin
+126
+0.2pp
Tagalog
-143
-0.2pp
Filipino
-61
-0.1pp
Malayalam
+220
+0.3pp
Indonesian
+104
+0.1pp
Vietnamese
+285
+0.4pp
Data table
Language used at home for Darwin (C). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Darwin.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Darwin% | Count | % | Greater Darwin% | Count | pp | |
| English | 48,953 | 60.8% | 66.7% | 49,108 | 62.4% | 67.9% | -155 | -1.6pp |
| Not stated | 6,882 | 8.5% | 9.8% | 8,551 | 10.9% | 11.8% | -1,669 | -2.4pp |
| Greek | 2,690 | 3.3% | 2.3% | 2,791 | 3.5% | 2.3% | -101 | -0.2pp |
| Nepali | 2,401 | 3.0% | 1.9% | 962 | 1.2% | 0.8% | +1,439 | +1.8pp |
| Mandarin | 1,735 | 2.2% | 1.5% | 1,609 | 2.0% | 1.4% | +126 | +0.2pp |
| Tagalog | 1,628 | 2.0% | 1.8% | 1,771 | 2.2% | 1.9% | -143 | -0.2pp |
| Filipino | 1,107 | 1.4% | 1.3% | 1,168 | 1.5% | 1.2% | -61 | -0.1pp |
| Malayalam | 936 | 1.2% | 0.8% | 716 | 0.9% | 0.6% | +220 | +0.3pp |
| Indonesian | 914 | 1.1% | 0.8% | 810 | 1.0% | 0.8% | +104 | +0.1pp |
| Vietnamese | 873 | 1.1% | 0.9% | 588 | 0.7% | 0.7% | +285 | +0.4pp |
| Total | 80,494 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 78,749 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,745 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.