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 Spencers Brook were English, Australian and Scottish.
Section overview
Ancestry - Ranked by size
Spencers Brook - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises ancestry for Spencers Brook in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Northam (S) and change since 2016.
Ancestry - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Spencers Brook, with comparison markers for Northam (S).
English
2021 count
50
% of total
59.5%
Change from 2016
+10.1pp
50
59.5%
+10.1pp
Australian
2021 count
19
% of total
22.6%
Change from 2016
-9.6pp
19
22.6%
-9.6pp
Scottish
2021 count
17
% of total
20.2%
Change from 2016
+3.0pp
17
20.2%
+3.0pp
Irish
2021 count
16
% of total
19.0%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
16
19.0%
-0.5pp
Australian Aboriginal
2021 count
13
% of total
15.5%
Change from 2016
+9.8pp
13
15.5%
+9.8pp
Chart view
Ancestry - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+7
+10.1pp
Australian
-9
-9.6pp
Scottish
+2
+3.0pp
Irish
-1
-0.5pp
Australian Aboriginal
+8
+9.8pp
Data table
Ancestry for Spencers Brook. Ancestry - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Northam (S).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Northam (S)% | Count | % | Northam (S)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 50 | 59.5% | 40.7% | 43 | 49.4% | 39.1% | +7 | +10.1pp |
| Australian | 19 | 22.6% | 38.9% | 28 | 32.2% | 41.2% | -9 | -9.6pp |
| Scottish | 17 | 20.2% | 9.1% | 15 | 17.2% | 8.9% | +2 | +3.0pp |
| Irish | 16 | 19.0% | 8.8% | 17 | 19.5% | 7.8% | -1 | -0.5pp |
| Australian Aboriginal | 13 | 15.5% | 5.9% | 5 | 5.7% | 0.8% | +8 | +9.8pp |
Excludes ancestries with fewer than 10 responses (multi-response).