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 White Cliffs (part) were Australian, English and Irish.
Section overview
Ancestry - Ranked by size
White Cliffs (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises ancestry for White Cliffs (part) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Central Darling (A) and change since 2016.
Ancestry - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for White Cliffs (part), with comparison markers for Central Darling (A).
Australian
2021 count
79
% of total
50.6%
Change from 2016
-10.2pp
79
50.6%
-10.2pp
English
2021 count
58
% of total
37.2%
Change from 2016
+6.8pp
58
37.2%
+6.8pp
Irish
2021 count
24
% of total
15.4%
Change from 2016
+8.6pp
24
15.4%
+8.6pp
Scottish
2021 count
13
% of total
8.3%
Change from 2016
-3.9pp
13
8.3%
-3.9pp
German
2021 count
10
% of total
6.4%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
10
6.4%
+1.0pp
Chart view
Ancestry - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Australian
-11
-10.2pp
English
+13
+6.8pp
Irish
+14
+8.6pp
Scottish
-5
-3.9pp
German
+2
+1.0pp
Data table
Ancestry for White Cliffs (part). Ancestry - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Central Darling (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Central Darling (A)% | Count | % | Central Darling (A)% | Count | pp | |
| Australian | 79 | 50.6% | 25.4% | 90 | 60.8% | 33.1% | -11 | -10.2pp |
| English | 58 | 37.2% | 22.0% | 45 | 30.4% | 23.1% | +13 | +6.8pp |
| Irish | 24 | 15.4% | 6.3% | 10 | 6.8% | 5.7% | +14 | +8.6pp |
| Scottish | 13 | 8.3% | 5.3% | 18 | 12.2% | 6.2% | -5 | -3.9pp |
| German | 10 | 6.4% | 3.2% | 8 | 5.4% | 2.6% | +2 | +1.0pp |
Excludes ancestries with fewer than 10 responses (multi-response).