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 Goorambat were English, Australian and Scottish.
Section overview
Ancestry - Ranked by size
Goorambat - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises ancestry for Goorambat in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Benalla (RC) and change since 2016.
Ancestry - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Goorambat, with comparison markers for Benalla (RC).
English
2021 count
126
% of total
46.8%
Change from 2016
-2.4pp
126
46.8%
-2.4pp
Australian
2021 count
111
% of total
41.3%
Change from 2016
-11.2pp
111
41.3%
-11.2pp
Scottish
2021 count
38
% of total
14.1%
Change from 2016
+6.4pp
38
14.1%
+6.4pp
Irish
2021 count
33
% of total
12.3%
Change from 2016
+4.2pp
33
12.3%
+4.2pp
Chart view
Ancestry - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-20
-2.4pp
Australian
-45
-11.2pp
Scottish
+15
+6.4pp
Irish
+9
+4.2pp
Data table
Ancestry for Goorambat. Ancestry - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Benalla (RC).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Benalla (RC)% | Count | % | Benalla (RC)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 126 | 46.8% | 42.9% | 146 | 49.2% | 41.2% | -20 | -2.4pp |
| Australian | 111 | 41.3% | 39.7% | 156 | 52.5% | 42.1% | -45 | -11.2pp |
| Scottish | 38 | 14.1% | 13.2% | 23 | 7.7% | 12.7% | +15 | +6.4pp |
| Irish | 33 | 12.3% | 14.3% | 24 | 8.1% | 13.7% | +9 | +4.2pp |
Excludes ancestries with fewer than 10 responses (multi-response).