Cultural diversity
Birthplace
About this topic
Birthplace records the country in which a person was born. It is a core measure of migration history and cultural diversity and helps distinguish Australia-born and overseas-born populations.
This topic is useful for understanding settlement patterns and the likely language, service, and support needs of different communities. It should be interpreted together with ancestry, language used at home, and religion for a fuller view of cultural diversity.
Interpretation notes
- Country of birth measures birthplace only; it does not capture ancestry, ethnicity, or current citizenship on its own.
- Use birthplace with ancestry and language when interpreting cultural background, because many cultural groups include both Australia-born and overseas-born people.
Key insight
In 2021, 45.4% (11,363) of people in Adelaide (C) were born overseas, compared with 27.6% in Greater Adelaide. A further 47.5% (11,893) of people were born in Australia.
Section overview
Birthplace - Ranked by size
Adelaide (C) - Overseas born (Usual residence)
This table summarises birthplace for Adelaide (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Adelaide and change since 2016.
Birthplace - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Adelaide (C), with comparison markers for Greater Adelaide.
China (excludes SARs and Taiwan)
2021 count
3,004
% of total
12.0%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
3,004
12.0%
-1.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,771
% of total
7.1%
Change from 2016
-3.1pp
1,771
7.1%
-3.1pp
England
2021 count
1,003
% of total
4.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
1,003
4.0%
0.0pp
India
2021 count
850
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
850
3.4%
+1.3pp
Malaysia
2021 count
720
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
720
2.9%
-0.5pp
Hong Kong (SAR of China)
2021 count
525
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
525
2.1%
+0.1pp
Vietnam
2021 count
422
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
422
1.7%
+0.8pp
Philippines
2021 count
314
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
314
1.3%
+0.6pp
Korea, Republic of (South)
2021 count
314
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
314
1.3%
-0.1pp
Singapore
2021 count
287
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
287
1.1%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Birthplace - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
China (excludes SARs and Taiwan)
+131
-1.0pp
Not stated
-478
-3.1pp
England
+124
0.0pp
India
+387
+1.3pp
Malaysia
-24
-0.5pp
Hong Kong (SAR of China)
+75
+0.1pp
Vietnam
+213
+0.8pp
Philippines
+169
+0.6pp
Korea, Republic of (South)
+11
-0.1pp
Singapore
-6
-0.2pp
Data table
Birthplace for Adelaide (C). Birthplace - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Adelaide.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Adelaide% | Count | % | Greater Adelaide% | Count | pp | |
| China (excludes SARs and Taiwan) | 3,004 | 12.0% | 1.8% | 2,873 | 13.0% | 1.8% | +131 | -1.0pp |
| Not stated | 1,771 | 7.1% | 3.7% | 2,249 | 10.2% | 5.4% | -478 | -3.1pp |
| England | 1,003 | 4.0% | 5.7% | 879 | 4.0% | 6.2% | +124 | 0.0pp |
| India | 850 | 3.4% | 3.1% | 463 | 2.1% | 2.0% | +387 | +1.3pp |
| Malaysia | 720 | 2.9% | 0.6% | 744 | 3.4% | 0.6% | -24 | -0.5pp |
| Hong Kong (SAR of China) | 525 | 2.1% | 0.3% | 450 | 2.0% | 0.3% | +75 | +0.1pp |
| Vietnam | 422 | 1.7% | 1.2% | 209 | 0.9% | 1.1% | +213 | +0.8pp |
| Philippines | 314 | 1.3% | 0.9% | 145 | 0.7% | 0.8% | +169 | +0.6pp |
| Korea, Republic of (South) | 314 | 1.3% | 0.3% | 303 | 1.4% | 0.3% | +11 | -0.1pp |
| Singapore | 287 | 1.1% | 0.2% | 293 | 1.3% | 0.2% | -6 | -0.2pp |
Excludes countries of birth with fewer than 10 people.