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 Northern Heights were English, Australian and German.
Section overview
Ancestry - Ranked by size
Northern Heights - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises ancestry for Northern Heights in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Murray Bridge (RC) and change since 2016.
Ancestry - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Northern Heights, with comparison markers for Murray Bridge (RC).
English
2021 count
129
% of total
42.3%
Change from 2016
-3.8pp
129
42.3%
-3.8pp
Australian
2021 count
123
% of total
40.3%
Change from 2016
+3.9pp
123
40.3%
+3.9pp
German
2021 count
33
% of total
10.8%
Change from 2016
-7.4pp
33
10.8%
-7.4pp
Scottish
2021 count
32
% of total
10.5%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
32
10.5%
-1.8pp
Irish
2021 count
12
% of total
3.9%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
12
3.9%
-0.2pp
Italian
2021 count
12
% of total
3.9%
Change from 2016
+2.4pp
12
3.9%
+2.4pp
Chart view
Ancestry - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+5
-3.8pp
Australian
+25
+3.9pp
German
-16
-7.4pp
Scottish
-1
-1.8pp
Irish
+1
-0.2pp
Italian
+8
+2.4pp
Data table
Ancestry for Northern Heights. Ancestry - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Murray Bridge (RC).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Murray Bridge (RC)% | Count | % | Murray Bridge (RC)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 129 | 42.3% | 40.6% | 124 | 46.1% | 39.1% | +5 | -3.8pp |
| Australian | 123 | 40.3% | 38.0% | 98 | 36.4% | 38.3% | +25 | +3.9pp |
| German | 33 | 10.8% | 12.9% | 49 | 18.2% | 13.2% | -16 | -7.4pp |
| Scottish | 32 | 10.5% | 8.1% | 33 | 12.3% | 7.9% | -1 | -1.8pp |
| Irish | 12 | 3.9% | 6.1% | 11 | 4.1% | 6.5% | +1 | -0.2pp |
| Italian | 12 | 3.9% | 2.9% | 4 | 1.5% | 2.7% | +8 | +2.4pp |
Excludes ancestries with fewer than 10 responses (multi-response).