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, Western Arrarnta was the most common language used at home among residents in Hermannsburg, accounting for 79.8% (442 people). This share was higher than MacDonnell (R) (10.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Western Arrarnta, which increased by 182 people and 35.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Hermannsburg - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Hermannsburg in 2021 for persons, with comparison against MacDonnell (R) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Hermannsburg, with comparison markers for MacDonnell (R).
Western Arrarnta
2021 count
442
% of total
79.8%
Change from 2016
+35.6pp
442
79.8%
+35.6pp
English
2021 count
48
% of total
8.7%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
48
8.7%
-1.0pp
Arrernte, nfd
2021 count
22
% of total
4.0%
Change from 2016
+2.8pp
22
4.0%
+2.8pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Western Arrarnta
+182
+35.6pp
English
-9
-1.0pp
Arrernte, nfd
+15
+2.8pp
Data table
Language used at home for Hermannsburg. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with MacDonnell (R).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | MacDonnell (R)% | Count | % | MacDonnell (R)% | Count | pp | |
| Western Arrarnta | 442 | 79.8% | 10.5% | 260 | 44.2% | 5.2% | +182 | +35.6pp |
| English | 48 | 8.7% | 15.7% | 57 | 9.7% | 14.3% | -9 | -1.0pp |
| Arrernte, nfd | 22 | 4.0% | 11.9% | 7 | 1.2% | 7.9% | +15 | +2.8pp |
| Total | 554 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 588 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -34 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.