Cultural diversity
Speaks English
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.
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 Inner West (A), accounting for 69.8% (127,518 people). This share was higher than Greater Sydney (57.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English only, which increased by 10,234 people and 5.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Proficiency in English
Inner West (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises speaks english for Inner West (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Sydney and change since 2016.
Proficiency in English snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Inner West (A), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
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
+10,234
+5.4pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well
-2,663
-1.5pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All
-1,442
-0.9pp
Total Not Stated
-5,355
-3.0pp
Data table
Speaks English for Inner West (A). Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Sydney.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | pp | |
| Total Speaks English Only | 127,518 | 69.8% | 57.3% | 117,284 | 64.4% | 58.4% | +10,234 | +5.4pp |
| Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well | 38,932 | 21.3% | 31.3% | 41,595 | 22.8% | 29.3% | -2,663 | -1.5pp |
| Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All | 8,676 | 4.7% | 6.4% | 10,118 | 5.6% | 6.5% | -1,442 | -0.9pp |
| Total Not Stated | 7,689 | 4.2% | 5.0% | 13,044 | 7.2% | 5.8% | -5,355 | -3.0pp |
| Total | 182,818 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 182,043 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +775 | 0.0pp |