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 Penfield, accounting for 67.8% (286 people). This share was lower than Playford (C) (78.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English only, which decreased by 47 people and 10.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Proficiency in English
Penfield - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises speaks english for Penfield in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Playford (C) and change since 2016.
This area boundary has changed from 2016 to 2021. As a result, 2016 values are mapped onto 2021 suburb boundaries using ABS concordance.
Proficiency in English snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Penfield, with comparison markers for Playford (C).
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
-47
-10.9pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well
+8
+2.0pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All
+4
+1.1pp
Total Not Stated
+35
+8.2pp
Data table
Speaks English for Penfield. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Playford (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Playford (C)% | Count | % | Playford (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Total Speaks English Only | 286 | 67.8% | 78.9% | 333 | 78.7% | 80.9% | -47 | -10.9pp |
| Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well | 64 | 15.2% | 12.0% | 56 | 13.2% | 9.4% | +8 | +2.0pp |
| Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All | 27 | 6.4% | 3.6% | 23 | 5.3% | 3.3% | +4 | +1.1pp |
| Total Not Stated | 47 | 11.1% | 5.5% | 12 | 2.9% | 6.5% | +35 | +8.2pp |
| Total | 422 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 423 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -1 | 0.0pp |