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, 14.4% (3,328) of people in Kiama (A) were born overseas, compared with 12.2% in Regional NSW. A further 81.5% (18,766) of people were born in Australia.

Section overview

Birthplace - Ranked by size

Kiama (A) - Overseas born (Usual residence)

This table summarises birthplace for Kiama (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.

Birthplace - Ranked by size snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Kiama (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.

Kiama (A)
Regional NSW

England

2021 count

1,201

% of total

5.2%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Not stated

2021 count

944

% of total

4.1%

Change from 2016

-2.7pp

New Zealand

2021 count

300

% of total

1.3%

Change from 2016

-0.2pp

Scotland

2021 count

149

% of total

0.6%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

United States of America

2021 count

136

% of total

0.6%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Germany

2021 count

124

% of total

0.5%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

South Africa

2021 count

112

% of total

0.5%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Ireland

2021 count

80

% of total

0.3%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Italy

2021 count

80

% of total

0.3%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

China (excludes SARs and Taiwan)

2021 count

71

% of total

0.3%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Data table

Birthplace for Kiama (A). Birthplace - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NSW.

Birthplace for Kiama (A). Birthplace - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NSW.
Birthplace for Kiama (A). Birthplace - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NSW.
Category20212016Change
Count%Regional NSW%Count%Regional NSW%Countpp
England1,2015.2%2.8%1,1145.2%2.8%+870.0pp
Not stated9444.1%6.5%1,4656.8%7.9%-521-2.7pp
New Zealand3001.3%1.2%3151.5%1.1%-15-0.2pp
Scotland1490.6%0.4%1410.7%0.4%+8-0.1pp
United States of America1360.6%0.3%910.4%0.3%+45+0.2pp
Germany1240.5%0.4%1000.5%0.4%+240.0pp
South Africa1120.5%0.4%1010.5%0.3%+110.0pp
Ireland800.3%0.2%830.4%0.2%-3-0.1pp
Italy800.3%0.3%900.4%0.3%-10-0.1pp
China (excludes SARs and Taiwan)710.3%0.3%610.3%0.4%+100.0pp

Excludes countries of birth with fewer than 10 people.