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 White Sands were English, Australian and German.
Section overview
Ancestry - Ranked by size
White Sands - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises ancestry for White Sands in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Murray Bridge (RC) and change since 2016.
Ancestry - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for White Sands, with comparison markers for Murray Bridge (RC).
English
2021 count
95
% of total
49.0%
Change from 2016
+6.1pp
95
49.0%
+6.1pp
Australian
2021 count
59
% of total
30.4%
Change from 2016
-9.3pp
59
30.4%
-9.3pp
German
2021 count
23
% of total
11.9%
Change from 2016
-2.8pp
23
11.9%
-2.8pp
Irish
2021 count
16
% of total
8.2%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
16
8.2%
+0.5pp
Scottish
2021 count
15
% of total
7.7%
Change from 2016
+2.6pp
15
7.7%
+2.6pp
Italian
2021 count
14
% of total
7.2%
Change from 2016
+5.3pp
14
7.2%
+5.3pp
Chart view
Ancestry - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+28
+6.1pp
Australian
-3
-9.3pp
German
0
-2.8pp
Irish
+4
+0.5pp
Scottish
+7
+2.6pp
Italian
+11
+5.3pp
Data table
Ancestry for White Sands. 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 | 95 | 49.0% | 40.6% | 67 | 42.9% | 39.1% | +28 | +6.1pp |
| Australian | 59 | 30.4% | 38.0% | 62 | 39.7% | 38.3% | -3 | -9.3pp |
| German | 23 | 11.9% | 12.9% | 23 | 14.7% | 13.2% | 0 | -2.8pp |
| Irish | 16 | 8.2% | 6.1% | 12 | 7.7% | 6.5% | +4 | +0.5pp |
| Scottish | 15 | 7.7% | 8.1% | 8 | 5.1% | 7.9% | +7 | +2.6pp |
| Italian | 14 | 7.2% | 2.9% | 3 | 1.9% | 2.7% | +11 | +5.3pp |
Excludes ancestries with fewer than 10 responses (multi-response).