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 Leonora (S), accounting for 56.8% (902 people). This share was lower than Regional WA (80.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English only, which decreased by 73 people and 12.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Proficiency in English
Leonora (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises proficiency in english for Leonora (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional WA and change since 2016.
Proficiency in English snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Leonora (S), with comparison markers for Regional WA.
Total Speaks English Only
2021 count
902
% of total
56.8%
Change from 2016
-12.3pp
902
56.8%
-12.3pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well
2021 count
170
% of total
10.7%
Change from 2016
+3.1pp
170
10.7%
+3.1pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All
2021 count
10
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
10
0.6%
+0.2pp
Total Not Stated
2021 count
504
% of total
31.7%
Change from 2016
+8.5pp
504
31.7%
+8.5pp
Chart view
Proficiency in English change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Total Speaks English Only
-73
-12.3pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well
+63
+3.1pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All
+5
+0.2pp
Total Not Stated
+177
+8.5pp
Data table
Proficiency in English for Leonora (S). Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional WA.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional WA% | Count | % | Regional WA% | Count | pp | |
| Total Speaks English Only | 902 | 56.8% | 80.9% | 975 | 69.1% | 81.7% | -73 | -12.3pp |
| Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well | 170 | 10.7% | 8.1% | 107 | 7.6% | 7.6% | +63 | +3.1pp |
| Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All | 10 | 0.6% | 0.8% | 5 | 0.4% | 0.9% | +5 | +0.2pp |
| Total Not Stated | 504 | 31.7% | 10.1% | 327 | 23.2% | 9.8% | +177 | +8.5pp |
| Total | 1,588 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,411 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +177 | 0.0pp |