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, Tiwi was the most common language used at home among residents in Tiwi Islands (R), accounting for 77.5% (1,804 people). This share was higher than Regional NT (2.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Australian Indigenous Languages, nfd, which decreased by 167 people and 6.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Tiwi Islands (R) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Tiwi Islands (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 Tiwi Islands (R), with comparison markers for Regional NT.
Tiwi
2021 count
1,804
% of total
77.5%
Change from 2016
+3.8pp
1,804
77.5%
+3.8pp
English
2021 count
291
% of total
12.5%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
291
12.5%
+1.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
128
% of total
5.5%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
128
5.5%
+0.7pp
Australian Indigenous Languages, nfd
2021 count
32
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-6.7pp
32
1.4%
-6.7pp
Tok Pisin (Neomelanesian)
2021 count
25
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-
25
1.1%
-
Fijian
2021 count
12
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
12
0.5%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Tiwi
-13
+3.8pp
English
+19
+1.5pp
Not stated
+9
+0.7pp
Australian Indigenous Languages, nfd
-167
-6.7pp
Fijian
0
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Tiwi Islands (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 | |
| Tiwi | 1,804 | 77.5% | 2.1% | 1,817 | 73.7% | 2.1% | -13 | +3.8pp |
| English | 291 | 12.5% | 43.0% | 272 | 11.0% | 42.8% | +19 | +1.5pp |
| Not stated | 128 | 5.5% | 10.1% | 119 | 4.8% | 13.2% | +9 | +0.7pp |
| Australian Indigenous Languages, nfd | 32 | 1.4% | 0.6% | 199 | 8.1% | 3.5% | -167 | -6.7pp |
| Tok Pisin (Neomelanesian) | 25 | 1.1% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Fijian | 12 | 0.5% | 0.2% | 12 | 0.5% | 0.1% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 2,327 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,466 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -139 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.