Cultural & Religious Diversity in Port Phillip

The following statistics, drawn from the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2021 Census, highlight the City of Port Phillip’s rich cultural, religious, and linguistic diversity.

Category	Key Insights
Population Diversity	33.1% born overseas (up from 26.9% in 2006); 164 birthplaces; 126 languages spoken; 51% female; avg age 40
Disability Support	4.4% of overseas-born residents need assistance due to disability
Suburban Diversity Hotspots	South Melbourne - 34% born overseas (Park Towers), Montague- 38% born oversea (Southbank), Lakeside- 36% born overseas (St Kilda Rd)
Languages Spoken at Home	21% speak a language other than English; Top: Greek, Mandarin, Spanish, Italian, Russian
Emerging Languages	Spanish, Mandarin, Hindi, Portuguese, French among recent arrivals
Top Non-English-Speaking Countries of Birth	India (2.1%), China, Vietnam, Colombia (largest increase), Malaysia, South Korea
Age Distribution	3% under 12, 6% aged 12–24; 18% aged 60+ (44% of them born overseas); older migrants in Balaclava, Port Melbourne, Elwood
Languages Spoken by Older Residents	Greek, Russian, Italian, Polish
Religious Affiliations	Catholic (27.3%), Buddhism (3.3%), Hinduism (2.1%), Judaism (3.3%) (large Jewish community in St Kilda)
Future Growth Areas	Fisherman’s Bend, St Kilda Road, expected increase in cultural diversity

Historical & Cultural Context

• Port Phillip’s migration story begins with First Nations peoples, the Traditional Custodians of this land.
• Station Pier in Port Melbourne was a major arrival point for migrants, especially after World War II.
• Greek communities settled in Port Melbourne, and Jewish refugees made St Kilda their home.
• Our city’s identity continues to be shaped by both long-standing communities and new arrivals.

For more information about multiculturalism in Port Phillip, read the 'Multicultural Strategy: Context and Opportunities' background paper.

What you can influence right now

Your feedback will be included in a report that shows what we heard from the community. This Engagement Report, along with other information (like local data and expert advice), will help decide what goes into the Multicultural Strategy. Your feedback will help shape decisions like:

• What future goals Council should set in supporting multicultural communities
• What the most important priorities are for the next 4 years
• What actions Council should take to support multicultural communities
• What cultural events and dates Council should celebrate
• What Council should include in its new promise to multicultural communities

What you can’t influence right now

• The project's timeline
• The project's budget