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 Katherine (T), accounting for 65.7% (6,314 people). This share was higher than Regional NT (43%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Kriol, which increased by 112 people and 1.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Katherine (T) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Katherine (T) 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 Katherine (T), with comparison markers for Regional NT.
English
2021 count
6,314
% of total
65.7%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
6,314
65.7%
+0.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,556
% of total
16.2%
Change from 2016
-4.4pp
1,556
16.2%
-4.4pp
Kriol
2021 count
546
% of total
5.7%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
546
5.7%
+1.2pp
Nepali
2021 count
152
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
152
1.6%
+1.2pp
Tagalog
2021 count
125
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
125
1.3%
+0.2pp
Filipino
2021 count
58
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
58
0.6%
-0.1pp
Warlpiri
2021 count
52
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
52
0.5%
0.0pp
Punjabi
2021 count
50
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
50
0.5%
+0.4pp
Mandarin
2021 count
43
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
43
0.4%
0.0pp
Malayalam
2021 count
38
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
38
0.4%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-2
+0.7pp
Not stated
-449
-4.4pp
Kriol
+112
+1.2pp
Nepali
+112
+1.2pp
Tagalog
+18
+0.2pp
Filipino
-9
-0.1pp
Warlpiri
+4
0.0pp
Punjabi
+41
+0.4pp
Mandarin
+8
0.0pp
Malayalam
-20
-0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Katherine (T). 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 | |
| English | 6,314 | 65.7% | 43.0% | 6,316 | 65.0% | 42.8% | -2 | +0.7pp |
| Not stated | 1,556 | 16.2% | 10.1% | 2,005 | 20.6% | 13.2% | -449 | -4.4pp |
| Kriol | 546 | 5.7% | 5.4% | 434 | 4.5% | 4.7% | +112 | +1.2pp |
| Nepali | 152 | 1.6% | 0.5% | 40 | 0.4% | 0.2% | +112 | +1.2pp |
| Tagalog | 125 | 1.3% | 0.6% | 107 | 1.1% | 0.5% | +18 | +0.2pp |
| Filipino | 58 | 0.6% | 0.3% | 67 | 0.7% | 0.4% | -9 | -0.1pp |
| Warlpiri | 52 | 0.5% | 2.7% | 48 | 0.5% | 2.4% | +4 | 0.0pp |
| Punjabi | 50 | 0.5% | 0.5% | 9 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +41 | +0.4pp |
| Mandarin | 43 | 0.4% | 0.5% | 35 | 0.4% | 0.3% | +8 | 0.0pp |
| Malayalam | 38 | 0.4% | 0.6% | 58 | 0.6% | 0.6% | -20 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 9,606 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 9,715 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -109 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.