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 Laverton (S) were Australian Aboriginal, English and Australian.
Section overview
Ancestry - Ranked by size
Laverton (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises ancestry for Laverton (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional WA and change since 2016.
Ancestry - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Laverton (S), with comparison markers for Regional WA.
Australian Aboriginal
2021 count
325
% of total
24.4%
Change from 2016
+3.8pp
325
24.4%
+3.8pp
English
2021 count
268
% of total
20.1%
Change from 2016
-5.2pp
268
20.1%
-5.2pp
Australian
2021 count
185
% of total
13.9%
Change from 2016
-11.6pp
185
13.9%
-11.6pp
Scottish
2021 count
63
% of total
4.7%
Change from 2016
-3.5pp
63
4.7%
-3.5pp
Irish
2021 count
60
% of total
4.5%
Change from 2016
-3.2pp
60
4.5%
-3.2pp
German
2021 count
28
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
28
2.1%
-0.8pp
Italian
2021 count
25
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
25
1.9%
0.0pp
Maori
2021 count
23
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
23
1.7%
-1.2pp
Filipino
2021 count
18
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
18
1.4%
+0.9pp
New Zealander
2021 count
15
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
15
1.1%
-0.8pp
Chart view
Ancestry - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Australian Aboriginal
+88
+3.8pp
English
-24
-5.2pp
Australian
-109
-11.6pp
Scottish
-31
-3.5pp
Irish
-29
-3.2pp
German
-6
-0.8pp
Italian
+3
0.0pp
Maori
-11
-1.2pp
Filipino
+12
+0.9pp
New Zealander
-7
-0.8pp
Data table
Ancestry for Laverton (S). Ancestry - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional WA.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional WA% | Count | % | Regional WA% | Count | pp | |
| Australian Aboriginal | 325 | 24.4% | 7.8% | 237 | 20.6% | 3.1% | +88 | +3.8pp |
| English | 268 | 20.1% | 40.0% | 292 | 25.3% | 39.4% | -24 | -5.2pp |
| Australian | 185 | 13.9% | 36.3% | 294 | 25.5% | 39.9% | -109 | -11.6pp |
| Scottish | 63 | 4.7% | 9.0% | 94 | 8.2% | 8.8% | -31 | -3.5pp |
| Irish | 60 | 4.5% | 8.6% | 89 | 7.7% | 8.7% | -29 | -3.2pp |
| German | 28 | 2.1% | 3.4% | 34 | 2.9% | 3.3% | -6 | -0.8pp |
| Italian | 25 | 1.9% | 3.8% | 22 | 1.9% | 3.6% | +3 | 0.0pp |
| Maori | 23 | 1.7% | 1.3% | 34 | 2.9% | 1.2% | -11 | -1.2pp |
| Filipino | 18 | 1.4% | 1.5% | 6 | 0.5% | 1.3% | +12 | +0.9pp |
| New Zealander | 15 | 1.1% | 1.1% | 22 | 1.9% | 1.3% | -7 | -0.8pp |
Excludes ancestries with fewer than 10 responses (multi-response).