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 Wantirna South were Chinese, English and Australian.
Section overview
Ancestry - Ranked by size
Wantirna South - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises ancestry for Wantirna South in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Knox (C) and change since 2016.
Ancestry - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Wantirna South, with comparison markers for Knox (C).
Chinese
2021 count
5,952
% of total
14.4%
Change from 2016
-
5,952
14.4%
-
English
2021 count
4,593
% of total
11.1%
Change from 2016
-11.6pp
4,593
11.1%
-11.6pp
Australian
2021 count
3,991
% of total
9.6%
Change from 2016
-13.3pp
3,991
9.6%
-13.3pp
Indian
2021 count
1,324
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
+2.4pp
1,324
3.2%
+2.4pp
Irish
2021 count
1,177
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
-2.5pp
1,177
2.8%
-2.5pp
Scottish
2021 count
1,151
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
1,151
2.8%
-0.7pp
Italian
2021 count
758
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
758
1.8%
-0.2pp
Greek
2021 count
527
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
527
1.3%
+0.7pp
Sri Lankan
2021 count
478
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-
478
1.2%
-
German
2021 count
451
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-2.8pp
451
1.1%
-2.8pp
Chart view
Ancestry - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+4,477
-11.6pp
Australian
+3,874
-13.3pp
Indian
+1,320
+2.4pp
Irish
+1,150
-2.5pp
Scottish
+1,133
-0.7pp
Italian
+748
-0.2pp
Greek
+524
+0.7pp
German
+431
-2.8pp
Dutch
+363
-0.5pp
Welsh
+66
-0.6pp
Data table
Ancestry for Wantirna South. Ancestry - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Knox (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Knox (C)% | Count | % | Knox (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Chinese | 5,952 | 14.4% | 7.0% | - | - | 5.6% | - | - |
| English | 4,593 | 11.1% | 14.8% | 116 | 22.7% | 15.7% | +4,477 | -11.6pp |
| Australian | 3,991 | 9.6% | 13.9% | 117 | 22.9% | 14.6% | +3,874 | -13.3pp |
| Indian | 1,324 | 3.2% | 2.2% | 4 | 0.8% | 1.9% | +1,320 | +2.4pp |
| Irish | 1,177 | 2.8% | 4.0% | 27 | 5.3% | 4.6% | +1,150 | -2.5pp |
| Scottish | 1,151 | 2.8% | 3.9% | 18 | 3.5% | 4.1% | +1,133 | -0.7pp |
| Italian | 758 | 1.8% | 2.4% | 10 | 2.0% | 2.4% | +748 | -0.2pp |
| Greek | 527 | 1.3% | 1.1% | 3 | 0.6% | 1.1% | +524 | +0.7pp |
| Sri Lankan | 478 | 1.2% | 0.9% | - | - | 1.1% | - | - |
| German | 451 | 1.1% | 1.9% | 20 | 3.9% | 2.0% | +431 | -2.8pp |
| Total | 41,461 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 512 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +40,949 | 0.0pp |
Excludes ancestries with fewer than 10 responses (multi-response).