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 Fernleigh were English, Australian and Scottish.
Section overview
Ancestry - Ranked by size
Fernleigh - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises ancestry for Fernleigh in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Ballina (A) and change since 2016.
Ancestry - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Fernleigh, with comparison markers for Ballina (A).
English
2021 count
122
% of total
40.9%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
122
40.9%
+1.2pp
Australian
2021 count
116
% of total
38.9%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
116
38.9%
+0.5pp
Scottish
2021 count
42
% of total
14.1%
Change from 2016
+6.4pp
42
14.1%
+6.4pp
Irish
2021 count
42
% of total
14.1%
Change from 2016
-4.4pp
42
14.1%
-4.4pp
Australian Aboriginal
2021 count
14
% of total
4.7%
Change from 2016
-
14
4.7%
-
Italian
2021 count
14
% of total
4.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
14
4.7%
0.0pp
Chart view
Ancestry - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+4
+1.2pp
Australian
+2
+0.5pp
Scottish
+19
+6.4pp
Irish
-13
-4.4pp
Italian
0
0.0pp
Data table
Ancestry for Fernleigh. 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 | 122 | 40.9% | 44.4% | 118 | 39.7% | 43.9% | +4 | +1.2pp |
| Australian | 116 | 38.9% | 39.3% | 114 | 38.4% | 40.1% | +2 | +0.5pp |
| Scottish | 42 | 14.1% | 12.6% | 23 | 7.7% | 12.1% | +19 | +6.4pp |
| Irish | 42 | 14.1% | 14.4% | 55 | 18.5% | 14.6% | -13 | -4.4pp |
| Australian Aboriginal | 14 | 4.7% | 3.7% | - | - | 0.6% | - | - |
| Italian | 14 | 4.7% | 3.3% | 14 | 4.7% | 2.9% | 0 | 0.0pp |
Excludes ancestries with fewer than 10 responses (multi-response).