Cultural diversity
Ancestry
About this topic
Ancestry describes a person's cultural association and ethnic background, and Census respondents can report more than one ancestry. It is a broader cultural measure than country of birth because it can reflect family heritage across generations.
This topic helps show the size and diversity of cultural groups in an area, including groups whose members were born in Australia. Because multiple ancestries can be reported, ancestry totals can exceed the total population, so it is best read with birthplace, language used at home, and religion.
Interpretation notes
- People can report up to two ancestries, so category totals represent responses rather than a single unduplicated person count.
- ABS advises that ancestry is best used with birthplace and language, because ancestry alone is a broad measure of ethnicity and cultural background.
- The 2021 form added separate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mark boxes, so those categories need caution in over-time comparison.
Key insight
In 2021, the largest ancestry groups among residents in Brooklet were English, Australian and Scottish.
Section overview
Ancestry - Ranked by size
Brooklet - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises ancestry for Brooklet in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Ballina (A) and change since 2016.
Ancestry - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Brooklet, with comparison markers for Ballina (A).
English
2021 count
117
% of total
46.2%
Change from 2016
+5.3pp
117
46.2%
+5.3pp
Australian
2021 count
82
% of total
32.4%
Change from 2016
-6.9pp
82
32.4%
-6.9pp
Scottish
2021 count
40
% of total
15.8%
Change from 2016
+3.3pp
40
15.8%
+3.3pp
Irish
2021 count
35
% of total
13.8%
Change from 2016
+3.3pp
35
13.8%
+3.3pp
German
2021 count
12
% of total
4.7%
Change from 2016
+2.4pp
12
4.7%
+2.4pp
Chart view
Ancestry - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+12
+5.3pp
Australian
-19
-6.9pp
Scottish
+8
+3.3pp
Irish
+8
+3.3pp
German
+6
+2.4pp
Data table
Ancestry for Brooklet. Ancestry - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Ballina (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Ballina (A)% | Count | % | Ballina (A)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 117 | 46.2% | 44.4% | 105 | 40.9% | 43.9% | +12 | +5.3pp |
| Australian | 82 | 32.4% | 39.3% | 101 | 39.3% | 40.1% | -19 | -6.9pp |
| Scottish | 40 | 15.8% | 12.6% | 32 | 12.5% | 12.1% | +8 | +3.3pp |
| Irish | 35 | 13.8% | 14.4% | 27 | 10.5% | 14.6% | +8 | +3.3pp |
| German | 12 | 4.7% | 4.6% | 6 | 2.3% | 4.4% | +6 | +2.4pp |
Excludes ancestries with fewer than 10 responses (multi-response).