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 Katanning were Australian, English and Australian Aboriginal.
Section overview
Ancestry - Ranked by size
Katanning - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises ancestry for Katanning in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Katanning (S) and change since 2016.
Ancestry - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Katanning, with comparison markers for Katanning (S).
Australian
2021 count
1,168
% of total
16.2%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
1,168
16.2%
+0.9pp
English
2021 count
1,144
% of total
15.8%
Change from 2016
-6.3pp
1,144
15.8%
-6.3pp
Australian Aboriginal
2021 count
308
% of total
4.3%
Change from 2016
+4.1pp
308
4.3%
+4.1pp
Scottish
2021 count
206
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
206
2.8%
-1.8pp
Karen
2021 count
203
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
+2.7pp
203
2.8%
+2.7pp
Irish
2021 count
186
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
186
2.6%
-1.9pp
Italian
2021 count
127
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
127
1.8%
-0.1pp
German
2021 count
115
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
115
1.6%
+0.2pp
Maori
2021 count
108
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
108
1.5%
+0.7pp
Malay
2021 count
96
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
96
1.3%
+1.1pp
Chart view
Ancestry - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Australian
-2,030
+0.9pp
English
-3,480
-6.3pp
Australian Aboriginal
+273
+4.1pp
Scottish
-748
-1.8pp
Karen
+176
+2.7pp
Irish
-756
-1.9pp
Italian
-262
-0.1pp
German
-182
+0.2pp
Maori
-63
+0.7pp
Malay
+61
+1.1pp
Data table
Ancestry for Katanning. Ancestry - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Katanning (S).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Katanning (S)% | Count | % | Katanning (S)% | Count | pp | |
| Australian | 1,168 | 16.2% | 17.1% | 3,198 | 15.3% | 18.8% | -2,030 | +0.9pp |
| English | 1,144 | 15.8% | 16.3% | 4,624 | 22.1% | 15.1% | -3,480 | -6.3pp |
| Australian Aboriginal | 308 | 4.3% | 4.0% | 35 | 0.2% | 0.6% | +273 | +4.1pp |
| Scottish | 206 | 2.8% | 3.0% | 954 | 4.6% | 3.0% | -748 | -1.8pp |
| Karen | 203 | 2.8% | 2.5% | 27 | 0.1% | 2.3% | +176 | +2.7pp |
| Irish | 186 | 2.6% | 2.7% | 942 | 4.5% | 2.4% | -756 | -1.9pp |
| Italian | 127 | 1.8% | 1.6% | 389 | 1.9% | 1.3% | -262 | -0.1pp |
| German | 115 | 1.6% | 1.7% | 297 | 1.4% | 1.9% | -182 | +0.2pp |
| Maori | 108 | 1.5% | 1.3% | 171 | 0.8% | 0.9% | -63 | +0.7pp |
| Malay | 96 | 1.3% | 1.3% | 35 | 0.2% | 1.4% | +61 | +1.1pp |
| Total | 7,229 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 20,891 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -13,662 | 0.0pp |
Excludes ancestries with fewer than 10 responses (multi-response).