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, 10% (2,237) of people in Colac-Otway (S) were born overseas, compared with 12.4% in Regional Vic.. A further 82.9% (18,536) of people were born in Australia.

Section overview

Birthplace - Ranked by size

Colac-Otway (S) - Overseas born (Usual residence)

This table summarises birthplace for Colac-Otway (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Vic. and change since 2016.

Birthplace - Ranked by size snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Colac-Otway (S), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..

Colac-Otway (S)
Regional Vic.

Not stated

2021 count

1,579

% of total

7.1%

Change from 2016

-1.1pp

England

2021 count

488

% of total

2.2%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

New Zealand

2021 count

233

% of total

1.0%

Change from 2016

-0.2pp

China (excludes SARs and Taiwan)

2021 count

181

% of total

0.8%

Change from 2016

+0.5pp

Taiwan

2021 count

146

% of total

0.7%

Change from 2016

+0.6pp

Philippines

2021 count

102

% of total

0.5%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

India

2021 count

88

% of total

0.4%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Netherlands

2021 count

81

% of total

0.4%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Scotland

2021 count

80

% of total

0.4%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Germany

2021 count

63

% of total

0.3%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Data table

Birthplace for Colac-Otway (S). Birthplace - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Vic..

Birthplace for Colac-Otway (S). Birthplace - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Vic..
Birthplace for Colac-Otway (S). Birthplace - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Vic..
Category20212016Change
Count%Regional Vic.%Count%Regional Vic.%Countpp
Not stated1,5797.1%6.6%1,7158.2%8.3%-136-1.1pp
England4882.2%2.6%4722.3%2.6%+16-0.1pp
New Zealand2331.0%1.0%2431.2%1.0%-10-0.2pp
China (excludes SARs and Taiwan)1810.8%0.3%610.3%0.3%+120+0.5pp
Taiwan1460.7%0.1%240.1%0.1%+122+0.6pp
Philippines1020.5%0.6%630.3%0.4%+39+0.2pp
India880.4%1.0%610.3%0.6%+27+0.1pp
Netherlands810.4%0.4%720.3%0.5%+9+0.1pp
Scotland800.4%0.4%800.4%0.4%00.0pp
Germany630.3%0.4%670.3%0.4%-40.0pp

Excludes countries of birth with fewer than 10 people.