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 Lagrange, accounting for 68.3% (433 people). This share was lower than Broome (S) (73.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in another language and English well or very well, which decreased by 24 people and 3.9 percentage points.

Section overview

Proficiency in English

Lagrange - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises proficiency in english for Lagrange in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Broome (S) and change since 2016.

Proficiency in English snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Lagrange, with comparison markers for Broome (S).

Lagrange
Broome (S)

Total Speaks English Only

2021 count

433

% of total

68.3%

Change from 2016

+2.6pp

Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well

2021 count

157

% of total

24.8%

Change from 2016

-3.9pp

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

2021 count

18

% of total

2.8%

Change from 2016

-1.3pp

Total Not Stated

2021 count

32

% of total

5.0%

Change from 2016

+1.7pp

Data table

Proficiency in English for Lagrange. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Broome (S).

Proficiency in English for Lagrange. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Broome (S).
Proficiency in English for Lagrange. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Broome (S).
Category20212016Change
Count%Broome (S)%Count%Broome (S)%Countpp
Total Speaks English Only43368.3%73.3%41465.7%75.9%+19+2.6pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well15724.8%12.3%18128.7%10.6%-24-3.9pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All182.8%0.7%264.1%1.1%-8-1.3pp
Total Not Stated325.0%13.7%213.3%12.3%+11+1.7pp
Total634100.0%100.0%630100.0%100.0%+40.0pp