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, Djambarrpuyngu was the most common language used at home among residents in East Arnhem (R), accounting for 42.7% (3,743 people). This share was higher than Regional NT (4.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Yolngu Matha, nfd, which increased by 1,059 people and 12.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
East Arnhem (R) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for East Arnhem (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 East Arnhem (R), with comparison markers for Regional NT.
Djambarrpuyngu
Yolngu Matha, nfd
Anindilyakwa
English
Not stated
Australian Indigenous Languages, nfd
Dhuwaya
Gumatj
Galpu
Gupapuyngu
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Djambarrpuyngu
-423
-3.5pp
Yolngu Matha, nfd
+1,059
+12.2pp
Anindilyakwa
+47
+1.0pp
English
+70
+1.0pp
Not stated
-58
-0.4pp
Australian Indigenous Languages, nfd
-162
-1.7pp
Dhuwaya
-194
-2.1pp
Gumatj
-18
-0.1pp
Galpu
-2
0.0pp
Gupapuyngu
-53
-0.6pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for East Arnhem (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 | |
| Djambarrpuyngu | 3,743 | 42.7% | 4.3% | 4,166 | 46.2% | 4.7% | -423 | -3.5pp |
| Yolngu Matha, nfd | 1,488 | 17.0% | 1.8% | 429 | 4.8% | 0.6% | +1,059 | +12.2pp |
| Anindilyakwa | 1,380 | 15.8% | 1.6% | 1,333 | 14.8% | 1.6% | +47 | +1.0pp |
| English | 504 | 5.8% | 43.0% | 434 | 4.8% | 42.8% | +70 | +1.0pp |
| Not stated | 469 | 5.4% | 10.1% | 527 | 5.8% | 13.2% | -58 | -0.4pp |
| Australian Indigenous Languages, nfd | 172 | 2.0% | 0.6% | 334 | 3.7% | 3.5% | -162 | -1.7pp |
| Dhuwaya | 142 | 1.6% | 0.2% | 336 | 3.7% | 0.4% | -194 | -2.1pp |
| Gumatj | 94 | 1.1% | 0.1% | 112 | 1.2% | 0.1% | -18 | -0.1pp |
| Galpu | 85 | 1.0% | 0.1% | 87 | 1.0% | 0.1% | -2 | 0.0pp |
| Gupapuyngu | 80 | 0.9% | 0.1% | 133 | 1.5% | 0.1% | -53 | -0.6pp |
| Total | 8,759 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 9,016 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -257 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.