Cultural diversity
Speaks 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 Balmain, accounting for 83.4% (8,720 people). This share was higher than Inner West (A) (69.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English only, which increased by 426 people and 4.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Proficiency in English
Balmain - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises speaks english for Balmain in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Inner West (A) and change since 2016.
Proficiency in English snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Balmain, with comparison markers for Inner West (A).
Total Speaks English Only
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All
Total Not Stated
Chart view
Proficiency in English change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Total Speaks English Only
+426
+4.1pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well
+70
+0.7pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All
-19
-0.2pp
Total Not Stated
-477
-4.6pp
Data table
Speaks English for Balmain. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Inner West (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Inner West (A)% | Count | % | Inner West (A)% | Count | pp | |
| Total Speaks English Only | 8,720 | 83.4% | 69.8% | 8,294 | 79.3% | 64.4% | +426 | +4.1pp |
| Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well | 1,182 | 11.3% | 21.3% | 1,112 | 10.6% | 22.8% | +70 | +0.7pp |
| Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All | 124 | 1.2% | 4.7% | 143 | 1.4% | 5.6% | -19 | -0.2pp |
| Total Not Stated | 419 | 4.0% | 4.2% | 896 | 8.6% | 7.2% | -477 | -4.6pp |
| Total | 10,454 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 10,453 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1 | 0.0pp |