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 South, accounting for 61.4% (916 people). This share was lower than Katherine (T) (65.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 47 people and 3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Katherine South - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Katherine South 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 South, with comparison markers for Katherine (T).
English
2021 count
916
% of total
61.4%
Change from 2016
+3.0pp
916
61.4%
+3.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
279
% of total
18.7%
Change from 2016
-7.5pp
279
18.7%
-7.5pp
Kriol
2021 count
43
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
43
2.9%
+0.3pp
Nepali
2021 count
39
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
+1.7pp
39
2.6%
+1.7pp
Punjabi
2021 count
26
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-
26
1.7%
-
Warlpiri
2021 count
22
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
22
1.5%
-0.7pp
Mandarin
2021 count
18
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
18
1.2%
+0.9pp
Tagalog
2021 count
17
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
17
1.1%
-0.2pp
Telugu
2021 count
15
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-
15
1.0%
-
Gurindji
2021 count
13
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
13
0.9%
+0.3pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+47
+3.0pp
Not stated
-110
-7.5pp
Kriol
+5
+0.3pp
Nepali
+26
+1.7pp
Warlpiri
-11
-0.7pp
Mandarin
+14
+0.9pp
Tagalog
-2
-0.2pp
Gurindji
+4
+0.3pp
Sinhalese
+3
+0.2pp
Vietnamese
+1
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Katherine South. 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 | 916 | 61.4% | 65.7% | 869 | 58.4% | 65.0% | +47 | +3.0pp |
| Not stated | 279 | 18.7% | 16.2% | 389 | 26.2% | 20.6% | -110 | -7.5pp |
| Kriol | 43 | 2.9% | 5.7% | 38 | 2.6% | 4.5% | +5 | +0.3pp |
| Nepali | 39 | 2.6% | 1.6% | 13 | 0.9% | 0.4% | +26 | +1.7pp |
| Punjabi | 26 | 1.7% | 0.5% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Warlpiri | 22 | 1.5% | 0.5% | 33 | 2.2% | 0.5% | -11 | -0.7pp |
| Mandarin | 18 | 1.2% | 0.4% | 4 | 0.3% | 0.4% | +14 | +0.9pp |
| Tagalog | 17 | 1.1% | 1.3% | 19 | 1.3% | 1.1% | -2 | -0.2pp |
| Telugu | 15 | 1.0% | 0.2% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Gurindji | 13 | 0.9% | 0.3% | 9 | 0.6% | 0.3% | +4 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 1,493 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,487 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +6 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.