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, Kriol was the most common language used at home among residents in Roper Gulf (R), accounting for 53.2% (3,438 people). This share was higher than Regional NT (5.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Kriol, which increased by 290 people and 4.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Roper Gulf (R) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Roper Gulf (R) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NT and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Roper Gulf (R), with comparison markers for Regional NT.
Kriol
2021 count
3,438
% of total
53.2%
Change from 2016
+4.6pp
3,438
53.2%
+4.6pp
English
2021 count
1,587
% of total
24.5%
Change from 2016
-3.3pp
1,587
24.5%
-3.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
706
% of total
10.9%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
706
10.9%
+1.9pp
Nunggubuyu
2021 count
277
% of total
4.3%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
277
4.3%
+0.7pp
Garrwa
2021 count
121
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
121
1.9%
+0.2pp
Anindilyakwa
2021 count
37
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
37
0.6%
-0.5pp
Yanyuwa
2021 count
34
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
34
0.5%
+0.2pp
Aboriginal English, so described
2021 count
34
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-
34
0.5%
-
Australian Indigenous Languages, nfd
2021 count
21
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-4.4pp
21
0.3%
-4.4pp
Dalabon
2021 count
17
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-
17
0.3%
-
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Kriol
+290
+4.6pp
English
-211
-3.3pp
Not stated
+124
+1.9pp
Nunggubuyu
+42
+0.7pp
Garrwa
+12
+0.2pp
Anindilyakwa
-37
-0.5pp
Yanyuwa
+15
+0.2pp
Australian Indigenous Languages, nfd
-285
-4.4pp
French
+9
+0.1pp
Mandarin
+6
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Roper Gulf (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 | |
| Kriol | 3,438 | 53.2% | 5.4% | 3,148 | 48.6% | 4.7% | +290 | +4.6pp |
| English | 1,587 | 24.5% | 43.0% | 1,798 | 27.8% | 42.8% | -211 | -3.3pp |
| Not stated | 706 | 10.9% | 10.1% | 582 | 9.0% | 13.2% | +124 | +1.9pp |
| Nunggubuyu | 277 | 4.3% | 0.3% | 235 | 3.6% | 0.3% | +42 | +0.7pp |
| Garrwa | 121 | 1.9% | 0.1% | 109 | 1.7% | 0.1% | +12 | +0.2pp |
| Anindilyakwa | 37 | 0.6% | 1.6% | 74 | 1.1% | 1.6% | -37 | -0.5pp |
| Yanyuwa | 34 | 0.5% | 0.0% | 19 | 0.3% | 0.0% | +15 | +0.2pp |
| Aboriginal English, so described | 34 | 0.5% | 0.2% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Australian Indigenous Languages, nfd | 21 | 0.3% | 0.6% | 306 | 4.7% | 3.5% | -285 | -4.4pp |
| Dalabon | 17 | 0.3% | 0.0% | - | - | - | - | - |
| Total | 6,465 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,475 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -10 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.