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, accounting for 65.6% (814 people). This share was similar to Katherine (T) (65.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 210 people and 4.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Katherine - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Katherine 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, with comparison markers for Katherine (T).
English
2021 count
814
% of total
65.6%
Change from 2016
-4.4pp
814
65.6%
-4.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
204
% of total
16.4%
Change from 2016
-5.0pp
204
16.4%
-5.0pp
Nepali
2021 count
33
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
-
33
2.7%
-
Tagalog
2021 count
20
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-
20
1.6%
-
Kriol
2021 count
20
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
20
1.6%
+0.6pp
Mandarin
2021 count
16
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
16
1.3%
+0.1pp
Greek
2021 count
10
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-
10
0.8%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-210
-4.4pp
Not stated
-109
-5.0pp
Kriol
+6
+0.6pp
Mandarin
-1
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Katherine. 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 | 814 | 65.6% | 65.7% | 1,024 | 70.0% | 65.0% | -210 | -4.4pp |
| Not stated | 204 | 16.4% | 16.2% | 313 | 21.4% | 20.6% | -109 | -5.0pp |
| Nepali | 33 | 2.7% | 1.6% | - | - | 0.4% | - | - |
| Tagalog | 20 | 1.6% | 1.3% | - | - | 1.1% | - | - |
| Kriol | 20 | 1.6% | 5.7% | 14 | 1.0% | 4.5% | +6 | +0.6pp |
| Mandarin | 16 | 1.3% | 0.4% | 17 | 1.2% | 0.4% | -1 | +0.1pp |
| Greek | 10 | 0.8% | 0.2% | - | - | - | - | - |
| Total | 1,241 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,463 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -222 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.