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 Burke (S) were Australian, Australian Aboriginal and English.
Section overview
Ancestry - Ranked by size
Burke (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises ancestry for Burke (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Qld and change since 2016.
Ancestry - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Burke (S), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
Australian
2021 count
125
% of total
29.8%
Change from 2016
-20.2pp
125
29.8%
-20.2pp
Australian Aboriginal
2021 count
125
% of total
29.8%
Change from 2016
+25.2pp
125
29.8%
+25.2pp
English
2021 count
79
% of total
18.9%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
79
18.9%
-1.5pp
Scottish
2021 count
19
% of total
4.5%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
19
4.5%
-1.9pp
Irish
2021 count
18
% of total
4.3%
Change from 2016
-3.0pp
18
4.3%
-3.0pp
German
2021 count
17
% of total
4.1%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
17
4.1%
+1.4pp
Torres Strait Islander
2021 count
15
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
-
15
3.6%
-
Chart view
Ancestry - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Australian
-39
-20.2pp
Australian Aboriginal
+110
+25.2pp
English
+12
-1.5pp
Scottish
-2
-1.9pp
Irish
-6
-3.0pp
German
+8
+1.4pp
Data table
Ancestry for Burke (S). Ancestry - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Qld.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Qld% | Count | % | Regional Qld% | Count | pp | |
| Australian | 125 | 29.8% | 35.3% | 164 | 50.0% | 37.7% | -39 | -20.2pp |
| Australian Aboriginal | 125 | 29.8% | 5.1% | 15 | 4.6% | 1.2% | +110 | +25.2pp |
| English | 79 | 18.9% | 39.6% | 67 | 20.4% | 39.2% | +12 | -1.5pp |
| Scottish | 19 | 4.5% | 10.4% | 21 | 6.4% | 10.4% | -2 | -1.9pp |
| Irish | 18 | 4.3% | 10.9% | 24 | 7.3% | 11.7% | -6 | -3.0pp |
| German | 17 | 4.1% | 6.3% | 9 | 2.7% | 6.6% | +8 | +1.4pp |
| Torres Strait Islander | 15 | 3.6% | 1.3% | - | - | 0.5% | - | - |
Excludes ancestries with fewer than 10 responses (multi-response).