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 Mella were Australian, English and Australian Aboriginal.
Section overview
Ancestry - Ranked by size
Mella - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises ancestry for Mella in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Circular Head (M) and change since 2016.
Ancestry - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Mella, with comparison markers for Circular Head (M).
Australian
2021 count
37
% of total
38.1%
Change from 2016
-3.8pp
37
38.1%
-3.8pp
English
2021 count
28
% of total
28.9%
Change from 2016
-11.6pp
28
28.9%
-11.6pp
Australian Aboriginal
2021 count
25
% of total
25.8%
Change from 2016
-
25
25.8%
-
Chart view
Ancestry - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Australian
+6
-3.8pp
English
-2
-11.6pp
Data table
Ancestry for Mella. Ancestry - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Circular Head (M).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Circular Head (M)% | Count | % | Circular Head (M)% | Count | pp | |
| Australian | 37 | 38.1% | 44.2% | 31 | 41.9% | 51.4% | +6 | -3.8pp |
| English | 28 | 28.9% | 39.4% | 30 | 40.5% | 41.1% | -2 | -11.6pp |
| Australian Aboriginal | 25 | 25.8% | 14.4% | - | - | 0.6% | - | - |
Excludes ancestries with fewer than 10 responses (multi-response).