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 Melonba were Indian, Filipino and Australian.
Section overview
Ancestry - Ranked by size
Melonba - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises ancestry for Melonba in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Blacktown (C) and change since 2016.
Ancestry - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Melonba, with comparison markers for Blacktown (C).
Indian
2021 count
421
% of total
29.3%
Change from 2016
+24.9pp
421
29.3%
+24.9pp
Filipino
2021 count
258
% of total
17.9%
Change from 2016
+13.5pp
258
17.9%
+13.5pp
Australian
2021 count
167
% of total
11.6%
Change from 2016
-13.4pp
167
11.6%
-13.4pp
English
2021 count
123
% of total
8.5%
Change from 2016
-20.0pp
123
8.5%
-20.0pp
Punjabi
2021 count
99
% of total
6.9%
Change from 2016
+6.6pp
99
6.9%
+6.6pp
Sikh
2021 count
65
% of total
4.5%
Change from 2016
+4.1pp
65
4.5%
+4.1pp
Pakistani
2021 count
46
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
+2.8pp
46
3.2%
+2.8pp
Chinese
2021 count
43
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
43
3.0%
-0.5pp
Southern Asian, nfd
2021 count
33
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-
33
2.3%
-
Irish
2021 count
32
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
-4.9pp
32
2.2%
-4.9pp
Chart view
Ancestry - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Indian
+420
+24.9pp
Filipino
+257
+13.5pp
Australian
+163
-13.4pp
English
+119
-20.0pp
Punjabi
+99
+6.6pp
Sikh
+65
+4.1pp
Pakistani
+46
+2.8pp
Chinese
+42
-0.5pp
Irish
+31
-4.9pp
Italian
+26
-1.0pp
Data table
Ancestry for Melonba. Ancestry - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Blacktown (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Blacktown (C)% | Count | % | Blacktown (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Indian | 421 | 29.3% | 13.5% | 1 | 4.4% | 11.3% | +420 | +24.9pp |
| Filipino | 258 | 17.9% | 9.0% | 1 | 4.4% | 8.9% | +257 | +13.5pp |
| Australian | 167 | 11.6% | 19.1% | 4 | 25.0% | 22.8% | +163 | -13.4pp |
| English | 123 | 8.5% | 16.8% | 4 | 28.5% | 20.7% | +119 | -20.0pp |
| Punjabi | 99 | 6.9% | 2.6% | 0 | 0.3% | 0.8% | +99 | +6.6pp |
| Sikh | 65 | 4.5% | 1.4% | 0 | 0.4% | 0.3% | +65 | +4.1pp |
| Pakistani | 46 | 3.2% | 1.9% | 0 | 0.4% | 1.5% | +46 | +2.8pp |
| Chinese | 43 | 3.0% | 4.5% | 1 | 3.5% | 4.1% | +42 | -0.5pp |
| Southern Asian, nfd | 33 | 2.3% | 1.0% | - | - | 0.5% | - | - |
| Irish | 32 | 2.2% | 4.2% | 1 | 7.1% | 5.7% | +31 | -4.9pp |
Excludes ancestries with fewer than 10 responses (multi-response).