Cultural diversity

Proficiency in English

About this topic

Proficiency in English records how well people say they speak English, with the question mainly relevant for people who use a language other than English at home. It is a self-assessed measure of spoken English rather than a formal test.

This topic helps identify where interpreting, translated information, and targeted service communication may be needed. It is most informative when read alongside language used at home, birthplace, and year of arrival.

Interpretation notes

  • ABS treats this as a self-assessed indicator of spoken English, not a formal test, so results should be interpreted with care.
  • The detailed English-proficiency categories mainly relate to people who use another language at home; people who speak English only are included as a separate category.

Key insight

In 2021, English only was the most common English-proficiency response among residents in Abercrombie, accounting for 93% (1,048 people). This share was higher than Bathurst Regional (A) (87.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English only, which increased by 11 people, while its share fell by 0.5 percentage points.

Section overview

Proficiency in English

Abercrombie - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises proficiency in english for Abercrombie in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Bathurst Regional (A) and change since 2016.

Proficiency in English snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Abercrombie, with comparison markers for Bathurst Regional (A).

Abercrombie
Bathurst Regional (A)

Total Speaks English Only

2021 count

1,048

% of total

93.0%

Change from 2016

-0.5pp

Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well

2021 count

46

% of total

4.1%

Change from 2016

+0.7pp

Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All

2021 count

0

% of total

0.0%

Change from 2016

-0.4pp

Total Not Stated

2021 count

28

% of total

2.5%

Change from 2016

-0.9pp

Data table

Proficiency in English for Abercrombie. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Bathurst Regional (A).

Proficiency in English for Abercrombie. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Bathurst Regional (A).
Proficiency in English for Abercrombie. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Bathurst Regional (A).
Category20212016Change
Count%Bathurst Regional (A)%Count%Bathurst Regional (A)%Countpp
Total Speaks English Only1,04893.0%87.6%1,03793.5%86.9%+11-0.5pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well464.1%5.0%383.4%3.7%+8+0.7pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All00.0%0.6%40.4%0.5%-4-0.4pp
Total Not Stated282.5%6.8%383.4%8.8%-10-0.9pp
Total1,127100.0%100.0%1,109100.0%100.0%+180.0pp