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 River Ranch, accounting for 92.2% (248 people). This share was higher than Gladstone (R) (87.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English only, which decreased by 67 people, while its share rose by 4 percentage points.

Section overview

Proficiency in English

River Ranch - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises proficiency in english for River Ranch in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Gladstone (R) and change since 2016.

Proficiency in English snapshot

2021 distribution by category for River Ranch, with comparison markers for Gladstone (R).

River Ranch
Gladstone (R)

Total Speaks English Only

2021 count

248

% of total

92.2%

Change from 2016

+4.0pp

Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well

2021 count

3

% of total

1.1%

Change from 2016

-0.3pp

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

2021 count

3

% of total

1.1%

Change from 2016

+1.1pp

Total Not Stated

2021 count

18

% of total

6.7%

Change from 2016

-3.9pp

Data table

Proficiency in English for River Ranch. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Gladstone (R).

Proficiency in English for River Ranch. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Gladstone (R).
Proficiency in English for River Ranch. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Gladstone (R).
Category20212016Change
Count%Gladstone (R)%Count%Gladstone (R)%Countpp
Total Speaks English Only24892.2%87.4%31588.2%86.4%-67+4.0pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well31.1%5.4%51.4%5.7%-2-0.3pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All31.1%0.5%00.0%0.6%+3+1.1pp
Total Not Stated186.7%6.7%3810.6%7.2%-20-3.9pp
Total269100.0%100.0%357100.0%100.0%-880.0pp