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, English was the most common language used at home among residents in Derby-West Kimberley (S), accounting for 44.4% (3,128 people). This share was lower than Regional WA (80.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 615 people and 4.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Derby-West Kimberley (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Derby-West Kimberley (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional WA and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Derby-West Kimberley (S), with comparison markers for Regional WA.
English
Not stated
Kriol
Walmajarri
Bunuba
Gooniyandi
Australian Indigenous Languages, nfd
Ngarinyin
Kimberley Area Languages, nec
Malayalam
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-615
-4.2pp
Not stated
+596
+9.6pp
Kriol
-495
-4.6pp
Walmajarri
-7
+0.2pp
Bunuba
+99
+1.4pp
Gooniyandi
+18
+0.3pp
Australian Indigenous Languages, nfd
-198
-2.5pp
Ngarinyin
+13
+0.3pp
Kimberley Area Languages, nec
+30
+0.4pp
Malayalam
-7
-0.1pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Derby-West Kimberley (S). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional WA.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional WA% | Count | % | Regional WA% | Count | pp | |
| English | 3,128 | 44.4% | 80.9% | 3,743 | 48.6% | 81.7% | -615 | -4.2pp |
| Not stated | 1,541 | 21.9% | 10.5% | 945 | 12.3% | 10.0% | +596 | +9.6pp |
| Kriol | 1,469 | 20.9% | 0.4% | 1,964 | 25.5% | 0.4% | -495 | -4.6pp |
| Walmajarri | 220 | 3.1% | 0.1% | 227 | 2.9% | 0.1% | -7 | +0.2pp |
| Bunuba | 129 | 1.8% | 0.0% | 30 | 0.4% | 0.0% | +99 | +1.4pp |
| Gooniyandi | 63 | 0.9% | 0.0% | 45 | 0.6% | 0.0% | +18 | +0.3pp |
| Australian Indigenous Languages, nfd | 49 | 0.7% | 0.1% | 247 | 3.2% | 0.3% | -198 | -2.5pp |
| Ngarinyin | 39 | 0.6% | 0.0% | 26 | 0.3% | 0.0% | +13 | +0.3pp |
| Kimberley Area Languages, nec | 36 | 0.5% | 0.0% | 6 | 0.1% | 0.0% | +30 | +0.4pp |
| Malayalam | 30 | 0.4% | 0.1% | 37 | 0.5% | 0.1% | -7 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 7,039 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 7,702 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -663 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.