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, 52.9% (3,208) of people in Riverton (WA) were born overseas, compared with 50.8% in Canning (C). A further 44.8% (2,720) of people were born in Australia.

Section overview

Birthplace - Ranked by size

Riverton (WA) - Overseas born (Usual residence)

This table summarises birthplace for Riverton (WA) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Canning (C) and change since 2016.

Birthplace - Ranked by size snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Riverton (WA), with comparison markers for Canning (C).

Riverton (WA)
Canning (C)

India

2021 count

540

% of total

8.9%

Change from 2016

-

Malaysia

2021 count

443

% of total

7.3%

Change from 2016

-

China (excludes SARs and Taiwan)

2021 count

362

% of total

6.0%

Change from 2016

-

Sri Lanka

2021 count

251

% of total

4.1%

Change from 2016

-

England

2021 count

241

% of total

4.0%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Singapore

2021 count

152

% of total

2.5%

Change from 2016

-

Not stated

2021 count

140

% of total

2.3%

Change from 2016

-7.9pp

Korea, Republic of (South)

2021 count

128

% of total

2.1%

Change from 2016

-

Indonesia

2021 count

90

% of total

1.5%

Change from 2016

-

New Zealand

2021 count

89

% of total

1.5%

Change from 2016

-0.5pp

Data table

Birthplace for Riverton (WA). Birthplace - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Canning (C).

Birthplace for Riverton (WA). Birthplace - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Canning (C).
Birthplace for Riverton (WA). Birthplace - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Canning (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Canning (C)%Count%Canning (C)%Countpp
India5408.9%7.9%--6.1%--
Malaysia4437.3%6.2%--6.0%--
China (excludes SARs and Taiwan)3626.0%4.8%--5.1%--
Sri Lanka2514.1%1.5%--1.4%--
England2414.0%4.6%84.1%5.4%+233-0.1pp
Singapore1522.5%2.1%--2.1%--
Not stated1402.3%3.8%2010.2%5.0%+120-7.9pp
Korea, Republic of (South)1282.1%1.2%--1.2%--
Indonesia901.5%1.9%--1.8%--
New Zealand891.5%1.9%42.0%2.1%+85-0.5pp

Excludes countries of birth with fewer than 10 people.