2016 Census Geographic Distribution Bulgaria-born.
The 2016 distribution by State and Territory showed New South Wales had the largest number with 1,059 followed by Victoria (989), Queensland (491) and Western Australia (355).
The latest Census in 2016 recorded 3,284 Bulgaria-born people in Australia, an increase of 12.7 per cent from the 2011 Census.
The earliest Bulgarian migrants settled in Australia in the mid to late nineteenth century. However, the first organised group of Bulgarians numbered 100 and arrived in 1907, settling in different parts of Australia. Bulgarian migrants continued to arrive in Australia in the following years and like most Southern European migrants they were young working-class men including peasants, labourers and tradesmen. Most settled in rural areas and engaged in unskilled, but well-paid employment.
Many returned to Bulgaria to marry and brought their wives with them to Australia. Migration from Bulgaria increased after the end of World War II. The first group to arrive in 1949 were Bulgarian displaced persons.
This group was soon joined by political refugees fleeing Bulgaria's post war communist regime, which included people from all walks of life including educated professionals.
After 1975, most Bulgarians migrated to Australia for economic reasons. The 2011 Census recorded 2915 Bulgaria-born people in Australia.
At the time of the 2016 Census, the median Individual Weekly Income for the Bulgaria-born in Australia aged 15 years and over was $761, compared with $615 for all overseas-born and $688 for all Australian-born.
The total Australian population aged 15 and over had a median Individual Weekly Income of $662.
Eastern Orthodox 41.0% Christian, Islam 14.1%, 7.5% Catholic 2.6% and Other Religion 5.0%.
Bulgarians described with no Religion - 24.1%.
