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, 11.3% (7,659) of people in Wagga Wagga (C) were born overseas, compared with 12.2% in Regional NSW. A further 83.1% (56,134) of people were born in Australia.

Section overview

Birthplace - Ranked by size

Wagga Wagga (C) - Overseas born (Usual residence)

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

Birthplace - Ranked by size snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Wagga Wagga (C), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.

Wagga Wagga (C)
Regional NSW

Not stated

2021 count

3,793

% of total

5.6%

Change from 2016

-0.9pp

India

2021 count

999

% of total

1.5%

Change from 2016

+0.5pp

Iraq

2021 count

826

% of total

1.2%

Change from 2016

+1.1pp

England

2021 count

799

% of total

1.2%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

New Zealand

2021 count

474

% of total

0.7%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Philippines

2021 count

460

% of total

0.7%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

China (excludes SARs and Taiwan)

2021 count

346

% of total

0.5%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Myanmar

2021 count

224

% of total

0.3%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

South Africa

2021 count

210

% of total

0.3%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Nepal

2021 count

189

% of total

0.3%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Data table

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

Birthplace for Wagga Wagga (C). Birthplace - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NSW.
Birthplace for Wagga Wagga (C). Birthplace - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NSW.
Category20212016Change
Count%Regional NSW%Count%Regional NSW%Countpp
Not stated3,7935.6%6.5%4,0296.5%7.9%-236-0.9pp
India9991.5%0.7%6461.0%0.5%+353+0.5pp
Iraq8261.2%0.1%410.1%0.0%+785+1.1pp
England7991.2%2.8%8231.3%2.8%-24-0.1pp
New Zealand4740.7%1.2%4380.7%1.1%+360.0pp
Philippines4600.7%0.5%4250.7%0.4%+350.0pp
China (excludes SARs and Taiwan)3460.5%0.3%2670.4%0.4%+79+0.1pp
Myanmar2240.3%0.0%1430.2%0.0%+81+0.1pp
South Africa2100.3%0.4%2290.4%0.3%-19-0.1pp
Nepal1890.3%0.2%710.1%0.1%+118+0.2pp

Excludes countries of birth with fewer than 10 people.