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, 33.1% (52,599) of people in Knox (C) were born overseas, compared with 35.7% in Greater Melbourne. A further 64% (101,817) of people were born in Australia.
Section overview
Birthplace - Ranked by size
Knox (C) - Overseas born (Usual residence)
This table summarises birthplace for Knox (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Melbourne and change since 2016.
Birthplace - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Knox (C), with comparison markers for Greater Melbourne.
China (excludes SARs and Taiwan)
2021 count
8,464
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
8,464
5.3%
+1.4pp
India
2021 count
5,169
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
5,169
3.2%
+0.6pp
England
2021 count
5,007
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
5,007
3.1%
-0.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
4,703
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
4,703
3.0%
-1.3pp
Malaysia
2021 count
3,955
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
3,955
2.5%
+0.4pp
Sri Lanka
2021 count
3,788
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
3,788
2.4%
+0.3pp
New Zealand
2021 count
1,915
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
1,915
1.2%
-0.1pp
Hong Kong (SAR of China)
2021 count
1,647
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
1,647
1.0%
+0.1pp
Philippines
2021 count
1,534
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
1,534
1.0%
+0.1pp
Vietnam
2021 count
1,357
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
1,357
0.9%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Birthplace - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
China (excludes SARs and Taiwan)
+2,383
+1.4pp
India
+1,234
+0.6pp
England
-675
-0.6pp
Not stated
-1,985
-1.3pp
Malaysia
+701
+0.4pp
Sri Lanka
+614
+0.3pp
New Zealand
-12
-0.1pp
Hong Kong (SAR of China)
+334
+0.1pp
Philippines
+198
+0.1pp
Vietnam
+105
+0.1pp
Data table
Birthplace for Knox (C). Birthplace - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Melbourne.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Melbourne% | Count | % | Greater Melbourne% | Count | pp | |
| China (excludes SARs and Taiwan) | 8,464 | 5.3% | 3.4% | 6,081 | 3.9% | 3.5% | +2,383 | +1.4pp |
| India | 5,169 | 3.2% | 4.9% | 3,935 | 2.6% | 3.6% | +1,234 | +0.6pp |
| England | 5,007 | 3.1% | 2.7% | 5,682 | 3.7% | 3.0% | -675 | -0.6pp |
| Not stated | 4,703 | 3.0% | 4.4% | 6,688 | 4.3% | 6.3% | -1,985 | -1.3pp |
| Malaysia | 3,955 | 2.5% | 1.2% | 3,254 | 2.1% | 1.1% | +701 | +0.4pp |
| Sri Lanka | 3,788 | 2.4% | 1.3% | 3,174 | 2.1% | 1.2% | +614 | +0.3pp |
| New Zealand | 1,915 | 1.2% | 1.7% | 1,927 | 1.3% | 1.8% | -12 | -0.1pp |
| Hong Kong (SAR of China) | 1,647 | 1.0% | 0.5% | 1,313 | 0.9% | 0.5% | +334 | +0.1pp |
| Philippines | 1,534 | 1.0% | 1.2% | 1,336 | 0.9% | 1.0% | +198 | +0.1pp |
| Vietnam | 1,357 | 0.9% | 1.8% | 1,252 | 0.8% | 1.8% | +105 | +0.1pp |
Excludes countries of birth with fewer than 10 people.