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, 42.1% (6,282) of people in North Melbourne were born overseas, compared with 54.7% in Melbourne (C). A further 49.1% (7,327) of people were born in Australia.
Section overview
Birthplace - Ranked by size
North Melbourne - Overseas born (Usual residence)
This table summarises birthplace for North Melbourne in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Melbourne (C) and change since 2016.
Birthplace - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for North Melbourne, with comparison markers for Melbourne (C).
Not stated
2021 count
1,327
% of total
8.9%
Change from 2016
-3.7pp
1,327
8.9%
-3.7pp
China (excludes SARs and Taiwan)
2021 count
1,150
% of total
7.7%
Change from 2016
-5.8pp
1,150
7.7%
-5.8pp
Vietnam
2021 count
415
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
415
2.8%
+0.5pp
Malaysia
2021 count
391
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
391
2.6%
-0.3pp
India
2021 count
387
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
387
2.6%
+0.7pp
England
2021 count
342
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
342
2.3%
+0.1pp
New Zealand
2021 count
320
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
320
2.1%
-0.1pp
Philippines
2021 count
159
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
159
1.1%
+0.3pp
United States of America
2021 count
157
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
157
1.1%
+0.1pp
Somalia
2021 count
155
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
155
1.0%
-0.3pp
Chart view
Birthplace - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Not stated
-564
-3.7pp
China (excludes SARs and Taiwan)
-863
-5.8pp
Vietnam
+65
+0.5pp
Malaysia
-39
-0.3pp
India
+102
+0.7pp
England
+8
+0.1pp
New Zealand
-3
-0.1pp
Philippines
+46
+0.3pp
United States of America
+7
+0.1pp
Somalia
-36
-0.3pp
Data table
Birthplace for North Melbourne. Birthplace - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Melbourne (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Melbourne (C)% | Count | % | Melbourne (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Not stated | 1,327 | 8.9% | 7.3% | 1,891 | 12.6% | 11.6% | -564 | -3.7pp |
| China (excludes SARs and Taiwan) | 1,150 | 7.7% | 11.2% | 2,013 | 13.5% | 15.8% | -863 | -5.8pp |
| Vietnam | 415 | 2.8% | 1.9% | 350 | 2.3% | 1.4% | +65 | +0.5pp |
| Malaysia | 391 | 2.6% | 4.1% | 430 | 2.9% | 4.9% | -39 | -0.3pp |
| India | 387 | 2.6% | 6.7% | 285 | 1.9% | 4.5% | +102 | +0.7pp |
| England | 342 | 2.3% | 2.3% | 334 | 2.2% | 2.3% | +8 | +0.1pp |
| New Zealand | 320 | 2.1% | 2.1% | 323 | 2.2% | 2.1% | -3 | -0.1pp |
| Philippines | 159 | 1.1% | 1.5% | 113 | 0.8% | 0.8% | +46 | +0.3pp |
| United States of America | 157 | 1.1% | 0.9% | 150 | 1.0% | 0.8% | +7 | +0.1pp |
| Somalia | 155 | 1.0% | 0.3% | 191 | 1.3% | 0.4% | -36 | -0.3pp |
Excludes countries of birth with fewer than 10 people.