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, Luritja was the most common language used at home among residents in MacDonnell (R), accounting for 18.4% (1,056 people). This share was higher than Regional NT (1.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Australian Indigenous Languages, nfd, which decreased by 321 people and 5.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
MacDonnell (R) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for MacDonnell (R) 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 MacDonnell (R), with comparison markers for Regional NT.
Luritja
2021 count
1,056
% of total
18.4%
Change from 2016
+6.1pp
1,056
18.4%
+6.1pp
English
2021 count
902
% of total
15.7%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
902
15.7%
+1.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
877
% of total
15.3%
Change from 2016
-10.3pp
877
15.3%
-10.3pp
Pitjantjatjara
2021 count
756
% of total
13.2%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
756
13.2%
+1.9pp
Arrernte, nfd
2021 count
685
% of total
11.9%
Change from 2016
+4.0pp
685
11.9%
+4.0pp
Western Arrarnta
2021 count
604
% of total
10.5%
Change from 2016
+5.3pp
604
10.5%
+5.3pp
Yankunytjatjara
2021 count
238
% of total
4.2%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
238
4.2%
-0.3pp
Eastern Arrernte
2021 count
181
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
181
3.2%
+0.8pp
Pintupi
2021 count
98
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
98
1.7%
+0.4pp
Warlpiri
2021 count
90
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
90
1.6%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Luritja
+317
+6.1pp
English
+39
+1.4pp
Not stated
-666
-10.3pp
Pitjantjatjara
+77
+1.9pp
Arrernte, nfd
+211
+4.0pp
Western Arrarnta
+288
+5.3pp
Yankunytjatjara
-36
-0.3pp
Eastern Arrernte
+36
+0.8pp
Pintupi
+21
+0.4pp
Warlpiri
+3
+0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for MacDonnell (R). 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 | |
| Luritja | 1,056 | 18.4% | 1.4% | 739 | 12.3% | 1.0% | +317 | +6.1pp |
| English | 902 | 15.7% | 43.0% | 863 | 14.3% | 42.8% | +39 | +1.4pp |
| Not stated | 877 | 15.3% | 10.1% | 1,543 | 25.6% | 13.2% | -666 | -10.3pp |
| Pitjantjatjara | 756 | 13.2% | 1.1% | 679 | 11.3% | 1.0% | +77 | +1.9pp |
| Arrernte, nfd | 685 | 11.9% | 1.4% | 474 | 7.9% | 0.8% | +211 | +4.0pp |
| Western Arrarnta | 604 | 10.5% | 1.0% | 316 | 5.2% | 0.5% | +288 | +5.3pp |
| Yankunytjatjara | 238 | 4.2% | 0.3% | 274 | 4.5% | 0.3% | -36 | -0.3pp |
| Eastern Arrernte | 181 | 3.2% | 0.5% | 145 | 2.4% | 0.4% | +36 | +0.8pp |
| Pintupi | 98 | 1.7% | 0.1% | 77 | 1.3% | 0.1% | +21 | +0.4pp |
| Warlpiri | 90 | 1.6% | 2.7% | 87 | 1.4% | 2.4% | +3 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 5,733 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,031 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -298 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.