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 South Spreyton were Australian, English and Scottish.
Section overview
Ancestry - Ranked by size
South Spreyton - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises ancestry for South Spreyton in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Kentish (M) and change since 2016.
Ancestry - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for South Spreyton, with comparison markers for Kentish (M).
Australian
2021 count
308
% of total
53.5%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
308
53.5%
+1.3pp
English
2021 count
252
% of total
43.8%
Change from 2016
+2.4pp
252
43.8%
+2.4pp
Scottish
2021 count
57
% of total
9.9%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
57
9.9%
-0.9pp
Australian Aboriginal
2021 count
51
% of total
8.9%
Change from 2016
-
51
8.9%
-
Irish
2021 count
27
% of total
4.7%
Change from 2016
-4.9pp
27
4.7%
-4.9pp
German
2021 count
26
% of total
4.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
26
4.5%
0.0pp
Dutch
2021 count
14
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
14
2.4%
0.0pp
Chart view
Ancestry - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Australian
+42
+1.3pp
English
+41
+2.4pp
Scottish
+2
-0.9pp
Irish
-22
-4.9pp
German
+3
0.0pp
Dutch
+2
0.0pp
Data table
Ancestry for South Spreyton. Ancestry - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Kentish (M).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Kentish (M)% | Count | % | Kentish (M)% | Count | pp | |
| Australian | 308 | 53.5% | 42.7% | 266 | 52.2% | 45.7% | +42 | +1.3pp |
| English | 252 | 43.8% | 42.9% | 211 | 41.4% | 43.5% | +41 | +2.4pp |
| Scottish | 57 | 9.9% | 9.8% | 55 | 10.8% | 9.3% | +2 | -0.9pp |
| Australian Aboriginal | 51 | 8.9% | 5.6% | - | - | 0.3% | - | - |
| Irish | 27 | 4.7% | 9.0% | 49 | 9.6% | 9.0% | -22 | -4.9pp |
| German | 26 | 4.5% | 3.9% | 23 | 4.5% | 3.6% | +3 | 0.0pp |
| Dutch | 14 | 2.4% | 2.1% | 12 | 2.4% | 2.3% | +2 | 0.0pp |
Excludes ancestries with fewer than 10 responses (multi-response).