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 East, accounting for 65.6% (1,995 people). This share was similar to Katherine (T) (65.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 109 people and 2.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Katherine East - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Katherine East in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Katherine (T) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Katherine East, with comparison markers for Katherine (T).
English
2021 count
1,995
% of total
65.6%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
1,995
65.6%
-2.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
450
% of total
14.8%
Change from 2016
-4.3pp
450
14.8%
-4.3pp
Kriol
2021 count
88
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
88
2.9%
+1.8pp
Nepali
2021 count
81
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
81
2.7%
+1.9pp
Tagalog
2021 count
72
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
72
2.4%
+0.2pp
Filipino
2021 count
34
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
34
1.1%
-0.3pp
Malayalam
2021 count
33
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
33
1.1%
+0.2pp
Fijian
2021 count
28
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
28
0.9%
+0.5pp
Warlpiri
2021 count
20
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
20
0.7%
+0.6pp
Punjabi
2021 count
19
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
19
0.6%
+0.3pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-109
-2.1pp
Not stated
-145
-4.3pp
Kriol
+54
+1.8pp
Nepali
+55
+1.9pp
Tagalog
+4
+0.2pp
Filipino
-8
-0.3pp
Malayalam
+4
+0.2pp
Fijian
+17
+0.5pp
Warlpiri
+17
+0.6pp
Punjabi
+9
+0.3pp
Data table
Language used at home for Katherine East. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Katherine (T).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Katherine (T)% | Count | % | Katherine (T)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 1,995 | 65.6% | 65.7% | 2,104 | 67.7% | 65.0% | -109 | -2.1pp |
| Not stated | 450 | 14.8% | 16.2% | 595 | 19.1% | 20.6% | -145 | -4.3pp |
| Kriol | 88 | 2.9% | 5.7% | 34 | 1.1% | 4.5% | +54 | +1.8pp |
| Nepali | 81 | 2.7% | 1.6% | 26 | 0.8% | 0.4% | +55 | +1.9pp |
| Tagalog | 72 | 2.4% | 1.3% | 68 | 2.2% | 1.1% | +4 | +0.2pp |
| Filipino | 34 | 1.1% | 0.6% | 42 | 1.4% | 0.7% | -8 | -0.3pp |
| Malayalam | 33 | 1.1% | 0.4% | 29 | 0.9% | 0.6% | +4 | +0.2pp |
| Fijian | 28 | 0.9% | 0.3% | 11 | 0.4% | 0.2% | +17 | +0.5pp |
| Warlpiri | 20 | 0.7% | 0.5% | 3 | 0.1% | 0.5% | +17 | +0.6pp |
| Punjabi | 19 | 0.6% | 0.5% | 10 | 0.3% | 0.1% | +9 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 3,039 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,108 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -69 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.