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 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 spoken at home for Katherine South in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Katherine (T) and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Katherine South, with comparison markers for Katherine (T).
English
Not stated
Kriol
Nepali
Punjabi
Warlpiri
Mandarin
Tagalog
Telugu
Gurindji
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 spoken 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.