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 Mengha were English, Australian and Australian Aboriginal.
Section overview
Ancestry - Ranked by size
Mengha - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises ancestry for Mengha in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Circular Head (M) and change since 2016.
Ancestry - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Mengha, with comparison markers for Circular Head (M).
English
2021 count
72
% of total
47.7%
Change from 2016
+3.3pp
72
47.7%
+3.3pp
Australian
2021 count
64
% of total
42.4%
Change from 2016
-6.2pp
64
42.4%
-6.2pp
Australian Aboriginal
2021 count
19
% of total
12.6%
Change from 2016
-
19
12.6%
-
Scottish
2021 count
12
% of total
7.9%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
12
7.9%
+1.0pp
Irish
2021 count
12
% of total
7.9%
Change from 2016
-3.9pp
12
7.9%
-3.9pp
Russian
2021 count
10
% of total
6.6%
Change from 2016
+2.4pp
10
6.6%
+2.4pp
Chart view
Ancestry - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+8
+3.3pp
Australian
-6
-6.2pp
Scottish
+2
+1.0pp
Irish
-5
-3.9pp
Russian
+4
+2.4pp
Data table
Ancestry for Mengha. 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 | |
| English | 72 | 47.7% | 39.4% | 64 | 44.4% | 41.1% | +8 | +3.3pp |
| Australian | 64 | 42.4% | 44.2% | 70 | 48.6% | 51.4% | -6 | -6.2pp |
| Australian Aboriginal | 19 | 12.6% | 14.4% | - | - | 0.6% | - | - |
| Scottish | 12 | 7.9% | 7.5% | 10 | 6.9% | 8.3% | +2 | +1.0pp |
| Irish | 12 | 7.9% | 9.4% | 17 | 11.8% | 9.8% | -5 | -3.9pp |
| Russian | 10 | 6.6% | 0.3% | 6 | 4.2% | 0.3% | +4 | +2.4pp |
Excludes ancestries with fewer than 10 responses (multi-response).