Cultural diversity

Overseas arrivals

About this topic

Overseas arrivals groups the overseas-born population by the year they first arrived in Australia to live here for one year or more. It shows how recent or established migrant communities are within an area.

This topic only applies to people born overseas, not the total population. It is useful for understanding settlement trends and likely demand for newcomer services, and it is best read with birthplace, language used at home, and religion.

Interpretation notes

  • This topic applies only to overseas-born people who first arrived to live in Australia for one year or more, not to the total population.
  • Year of arrival is most useful with birthplace and language, because arrival timing alone does not show current support needs.

Key insight

In 2021, 2016 to August 2021 was the most common arrival period among overseas-born residents in Cairns City, accounting for 34.8% (331 people). This share was higher than Cairns (R) (14.8%).

Section overview

Overseas arrivals

Cairns City - Overseas born (Usual residence)

This table summarises overseas arrivals for Cairns City in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cairns (R).

Chart view

Overseas arrivals snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Cairns City, with comparison markers for Cairns (R).

Cairns City
Cairns (R)

Arrived in 1960 or earlier

2021 count

35

% of total

3.7%

1961 to 1970

2021 count

58

% of total

6.1%

1971 to 1980

2021 count

67

% of total

7.0%

1981 to 1990

2021 count

84

% of total

8.8%

1991 to 2000

2021 count

76

% of total

8.0%

2001 to 2010

2021 count

155

% of total

16.3%

2011 to 2015

2021 count

127

% of total

13.4%

2016 to Aug 2021

2021 count

331

% of total

34.8%

Not stated

2021 count

18

% of total

1.9%

Data table

Overseas arrivals for Cairns City. Overseas arrivals. 2021 counts and percentages compared with Cairns (R).

Overseas arrivals for Cairns City. Overseas arrivals. 2021 counts and percentages compared with Cairns (R).
Overseas arrivals for Cairns City. Overseas arrivals. 2021 counts and percentages compared with Cairns (R).
Category2021 count2021 %Cairns (R) %
Arrived in 1960 or earlier353.7%4.3%
1961 to 1970586.1%7.4%
1971 to 1980677.0%8.9%
1981 to 1990848.8%12.3%
1991 to 2000768.0%12.1%
2001 to 201015516.3%23.4%
2011 to 201512713.4%14.2%
2016 to Aug 202133134.8%14.8%
Not stated181.9%2.7%
Total951100.0%100.0%