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 Booral (NSW) were Australian, English and Scottish.
Section overview
Ancestry - Ranked by size
Booral (NSW) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises ancestry for Booral (NSW) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Mid-Coast (A) and change since 2016.
Ancestry - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Booral (NSW), with comparison markers for Mid-Coast (A).
Australian
2021 count
205
% of total
44.9%
Change from 2016
-6.2pp
205
44.9%
-6.2pp
English
2021 count
182
% of total
39.8%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
182
39.8%
-1.5pp
Scottish
2021 count
44
% of total
9.6%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
44
9.6%
-0.7pp
Irish
2021 count
35
% of total
7.7%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
35
7.7%
+1.8pp
German
2021 count
27
% of total
5.9%
Change from 2016
+2.2pp
27
5.9%
+2.2pp
Australian Aboriginal
2021 count
19
% of total
4.2%
Change from 2016
-
19
4.2%
-
Chart view
Ancestry - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Australian
-3
-6.2pp
English
+14
-1.5pp
Scottish
+2
-0.7pp
Irish
+11
+1.8pp
German
+12
+2.2pp
Data table
Ancestry for Booral (NSW). Ancestry - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mid-Coast (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Mid-Coast (A)% | Count | % | Mid-Coast (A)% | Count | pp | |
| Australian | 205 | 44.9% | 42.4% | 208 | 51.1% | 45.1% | -3 | -6.2pp |
| English | 182 | 39.8% | 43.9% | 168 | 41.3% | 44.1% | +14 | -1.5pp |
| Scottish | 44 | 9.6% | 10.8% | 42 | 10.3% | 10.6% | +2 | -0.7pp |
| Irish | 35 | 7.7% | 11.0% | 24 | 5.9% | 10.9% | +11 | +1.8pp |
| German | 27 | 5.9% | 3.8% | 15 | 3.7% | 3.9% | +12 | +2.2pp |
| Australian Aboriginal | 19 | 4.2% | 6.7% | - | - | 1.0% | - | - |
Excludes ancestries with fewer than 10 responses (multi-response).