Wyndham's Chinese Community
In 2011, 2,487 people from China were residing in Wyndham. By 2016, 2.5% of the total Wyndham population were born in China, approximately 5,525 people. The Chinese community extends beyond those born in China to over 13,000 Wyndham residents who claim Chinese ancestry. At the 2016 Census, the majority of these residents were residing in Point Cook.
All data in this profile is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2011 or 2016, Census of Population and Housing.
As shown in the graph below, the age profile of Wyndham’s Chinese community is different to the age profile across Wyndham. Almost two thirds (64%) of the Chinese community are under the age of 40 and almost half aged between 25 and 39 years. Across Wyndham, less than 30% of the total population are aged 25 to 39. There are also proportionally fewer children (0 to 9 years) in the Chinese community (3%), compared to all children Wyndham wide (18%).
Age profile of Wyndham residence born in China and with Chinese ancestry, 2016
Interestingly, there are a large proportion of young children with Chinese ancestry. It would be reasonable to conclude that many of these young children are first generation Australians born to Chinese immigrants in the 30 to 34 year age range.
In 2016, there were 10,068 Wyndham residents speaking Chinese at home (includes Mandarin, Cantonese, Hakka, Mandarin, Wu and Min Nan). This figure is almost double the size of the Chinese community and is therefore likely to include children with Chinese ancestry.
A shown in the figure below, English speaking proficiency is low amongst the Wyndham residents born in China, with a large proportion not able to speak English well or at all (32%).
English proficiency of Wyndham residents born in China, 2016
Religious affinity is low amongst the Wyndham residents born in China. At the 2016 Census, 77% of the Chinese community reported no religion, up from 70% at the 2011 Census. Of those who did report a religion, Buddhism (10%) and Christianity (9%) were the most popular.
In 2016, almost half of Wyndham residents born in China aged 15 years or older had a bachelor or higher degree (Masters, PhD), similar to 2011. Thus, a largely educated Chinese population has been immigrating to Australia and residing in Wyndham. Education level is reflected in employment types with a large proportion of residents working in professional positions (14.4%, down from 16% in 2011). A further 8.1% work in managerial positions (down from 9% in 2011), 1.9% in machinery trades and 4.8% as labourers.