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 Merrylands West were Lebanese, Australian and English.
Section overview
Ancestry - Ranked by size
Merrylands West - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises ancestry for Merrylands West in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cumberland (A) and change since 2016.
Ancestry - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Merrylands West, with comparison markers for Cumberland (A).
Lebanese
2021 count
1,144
% of total
8.1%
Change from 2016
-
1,144
8.1%
-
Australian
2021 count
960
% of total
6.8%
Change from 2016
-18.4pp
960
6.8%
-18.4pp
English
2021 count
816
% of total
5.8%
Change from 2016
-12.2pp
816
5.8%
-12.2pp
Chinese
2021 count
478
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
-
478
3.4%
-
Afghan
2021 count
364
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
-
364
2.6%
-
Irish
2021 count
244
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-4.1pp
244
1.7%
-4.1pp
Italian
2021 count
225
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
225
1.6%
+0.9pp
Turkish
2021 count
204
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-
204
1.4%
-
Hazara
2021 count
180
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-
180
1.3%
-
Indian
2021 count
177
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-
177
1.3%
-
Chart view
Ancestry - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Australian
+847
-18.4pp
English
+735
-12.2pp
Irish
+218
-4.1pp
Italian
+222
+0.9pp
Scottish
+147
-4.6pp
Greek
+82
-0.1pp
German
+72
-0.4pp
New Zealander
+25
-0.5pp
Dutch
+15
-1.2pp
Data table
Ancestry for Merrylands West. Ancestry - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Cumberland (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Cumberland (A)% | Count | % | Cumberland (A)% | Count | pp | |
| Lebanese | 1,144 | 8.1% | 5.9% | - | - | 6.6% | - | - |
| Australian | 960 | 6.8% | 5.3% | 113 | 25.2% | 6.0% | +847 | -18.4pp |
| English | 816 | 5.8% | 4.6% | 81 | 18.0% | 5.1% | +735 | -12.2pp |
| Chinese | 478 | 3.4% | 6.3% | - | - | 6.3% | - | - |
| Afghan | 364 | 2.6% | 1.1% | - | - | 1.4% | - | - |
| Irish | 244 | 1.7% | 1.1% | 26 | 5.8% | 1.5% | +218 | -4.1pp |
| Italian | 225 | 1.6% | 1.0% | 3 | 0.7% | 1.2% | +222 | +0.9pp |
| Turkish | 204 | 1.4% | 1.6% | - | - | 1.7% | - | - |
| Hazara | 180 | 1.3% | 0.9% | - | - | 0.6% | - | - |
| Indian | 177 | 1.3% | 4.3% | - | - | 4.2% | - | - |
| Total | 14,099 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 449 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +13,650 | 0.0pp |
Excludes ancestries with fewer than 10 responses (multi-response).