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, 46.5% (35,149) of people in Willoughby (C) were born overseas, compared with 38.6% in Greater Sydney. A further 50.5% (38,174) of people were born in Australia.
Section overview
Birthplace - Ranked by size
Willoughby (C) - Overseas born (Usual residence)
This table summarises birthplace for Willoughby (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Sydney and change since 2016.
Birthplace - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Willoughby (C), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
China (excludes SARs and Taiwan)
2021 count
8,311
% of total
11.0%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
8,311
11.0%
+0.4pp
Hong Kong (SAR of China)
2021 count
2,788
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
2,788
3.7%
+0.4pp
England
2021 count
2,685
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
2,685
3.6%
-0.1pp
India
2021 count
2,350
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
2,350
3.1%
+0.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
2,271
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
2,271
3.0%
-2.1pp
Korea, Republic of (South)
2021 count
1,582
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
1,582
2.1%
-0.9pp
Japan
2021 count
1,370
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
1,370
1.8%
-0.1pp
New Zealand
2021 count
1,303
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
1,303
1.7%
-0.2pp
Malaysia
2021 count
1,209
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
1,209
1.6%
+0.2pp
Philippines
2021 count
1,023
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
1,023
1.4%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Birthplace - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
China (excludes SARs and Taiwan)
+407
+0.4pp
Hong Kong (SAR of China)
+319
+0.4pp
England
-49
-0.1pp
India
+456
+0.6pp
Not stated
-1,497
-2.1pp
Korea, Republic of (South)
-614
-0.9pp
Japan
-53
-0.1pp
New Zealand
-82
-0.2pp
Malaysia
+154
+0.2pp
Philippines
+130
+0.2pp
Data table
Birthplace for Willoughby (C). Birthplace - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Sydney.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | pp | |
| China (excludes SARs and Taiwan) | 8,311 | 11.0% | 4.6% | 7,904 | 10.6% | 4.7% | +407 | +0.4pp |
| Hong Kong (SAR of China) | 2,788 | 3.7% | 0.9% | 2,469 | 3.3% | 0.8% | +319 | +0.4pp |
| England | 2,685 | 3.6% | 2.9% | 2,734 | 3.7% | 3.1% | -49 | -0.1pp |
| India | 2,350 | 3.1% | 3.6% | 1,894 | 2.5% | 2.7% | +456 | +0.6pp |
| Not stated | 2,271 | 3.0% | 4.6% | 3,768 | 5.1% | 6.2% | -1,497 | -2.1pp |
| Korea, Republic of (South) | 1,582 | 2.1% | 1.0% | 2,196 | 3.0% | 1.0% | -614 | -0.9pp |
| Japan | 1,370 | 1.8% | 0.2% | 1,423 | 1.9% | 0.3% | -53 | -0.1pp |
| New Zealand | 1,303 | 1.7% | 1.6% | 1,385 | 1.9% | 1.8% | -82 | -0.2pp |
| Malaysia | 1,209 | 1.6% | 0.7% | 1,055 | 1.4% | 0.6% | +154 | +0.2pp |
| Philippines | 1,023 | 1.4% | 1.7% | 893 | 1.2% | 1.6% | +130 | +0.2pp |
Excludes countries of birth with fewer than 10 people.