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, Murrinh Patha was the most common language used at home among residents in West Daly (R), accounting for 67.6% (2,000 people). This share was higher than Regional NT (2.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Australian Indigenous Languages, nfd, which decreased by 221 people and 6.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
West Daly (R) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for West Daly (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 West Daly (R), with comparison markers for Regional NT.
Murrinh Patha
2021 count
2,000
% of total
67.6%
Change from 2016
+6.1pp
2,000
67.6%
+6.1pp
English
2021 count
355
% of total
12.0%
Change from 2016
+3.2pp
355
12.0%
+3.2pp
Kriol
2021 count
254
% of total
8.6%
Change from 2016
+2.6pp
254
8.6%
+2.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
109
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
-7.1pp
109
3.7%
-7.1pp
Australian Indigenous Languages, nfd
2021 count
88
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
-6.8pp
88
3.0%
-6.8pp
Ngan'gikurunggurr
2021 count
56
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+1.7pp
56
1.9%
+1.7pp
Aboriginal English, so described
2021 count
52
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-
52
1.8%
-
Other Australian Indigenous Languages, nec
2021 count
17
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-
17
0.6%
-
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Murrinh Patha
+62
+6.1pp
English
+77
+3.2pp
Kriol
+65
+2.6pp
Not stated
-231
-7.1pp
Australian Indigenous Languages, nfd
-221
-6.8pp
Ngan'gikurunggurr
+51
+1.7pp
Data table
Language used at home for West Daly (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 | |
| Murrinh Patha | 2,000 | 67.6% | 2.3% | 1,938 | 61.5% | 2.2% | +62 | +6.1pp |
| English | 355 | 12.0% | 43.0% | 278 | 8.8% | 42.8% | +77 | +3.2pp |
| Kriol | 254 | 8.6% | 5.4% | 189 | 6.0% | 4.7% | +65 | +2.6pp |
| Not stated | 109 | 3.7% | 10.1% | 340 | 10.8% | 13.2% | -231 | -7.1pp |
| Australian Indigenous Languages, nfd | 88 | 3.0% | 0.6% | 309 | 9.8% | 3.5% | -221 | -6.8pp |
| Ngan'gikurunggurr | 56 | 1.9% | 0.1% | 5 | 0.2% | 0.0% | +51 | +1.7pp |
| Aboriginal English, so described | 52 | 1.8% | 0.2% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Other Australian Indigenous Languages, nec | 17 | 0.6% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Total | 2,957 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,150 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -193 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.