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, 13.3% (3,326) of people in Somerset (R) were born overseas, compared with 27.2% in Greater Brisbane. A further 79.5% (19,880) of people were born in Australia.

Section overview

Birthplace - Ranked by size

Somerset (R) - Overseas born (Usual residence)

This table summarises birthplace for Somerset (R) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Brisbane and change since 2016.

Birthplace - Ranked by size snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Somerset (R), with comparison markers for Greater Brisbane.

Somerset (R)
Greater Brisbane

Not stated

2021 count

1,788

% of total

7.2%

Change from 2016

-2.3pp

England

2021 count

846

% of total

3.4%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

New Zealand

2021 count

685

% of total

2.7%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Philippines

2021 count

627

% of total

2.5%

Change from 2016

+1.0pp

Germany

2021 count

98

% of total

0.4%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Scotland

2021 count

94

% of total

0.4%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

South Africa

2021 count

93

% of total

0.4%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Netherlands

2021 count

85

% of total

0.3%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Vietnam

2021 count

81

% of total

0.3%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

United States of America

2021 count

46

% of total

0.2%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Data table

Birthplace for Somerset (R). Birthplace - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Brisbane.

Birthplace for Somerset (R). Birthplace - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Brisbane.
Birthplace for Somerset (R). Birthplace - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Brisbane.
Category20212016Change
Count%Greater Brisbane%Count%Greater Brisbane%Countpp
Not stated1,7887.2%4.5%2,3259.5%6.1%-537-2.3pp
England8463.4%3.8%8123.3%4.0%+34+0.1pp
New Zealand6852.7%4.4%6162.5%4.7%+69+0.2pp
Philippines6272.5%1.1%3751.5%0.9%+252+1.0pp
Germany980.4%0.4%1190.5%0.4%-21-0.1pp
Scotland940.4%0.5%880.4%0.5%+60.0pp
South Africa930.4%1.1%590.2%1.0%+34+0.2pp
Netherlands850.3%0.3%980.4%0.3%-13-0.1pp
Vietnam810.3%0.8%700.3%0.7%+110.0pp
United States of America460.2%0.4%460.2%0.4%00.0pp

Excludes countries of birth with fewer than 10 people.