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 Noarlunga Downs were English, Australian and Scottish.
Section overview
Ancestry - Ranked by size
Noarlunga Downs - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises ancestry for Noarlunga Downs in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Onkaparinga (C) and change since 2016.
Ancestry - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Noarlunga Downs, with comparison markers for Onkaparinga (C).
English
2021 count
1,901
% of total
47.2%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
1,901
47.2%
-1.6pp
Australian
2021 count
1,531
% of total
38.0%
Change from 2016
+2.2pp
1,531
38.0%
+2.2pp
Scottish
2021 count
348
% of total
8.6%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
348
8.6%
-1.5pp
Irish
2021 count
305
% of total
7.6%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
305
7.6%
-0.9pp
German
2021 count
255
% of total
6.3%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
255
6.3%
+0.4pp
Australian Aboriginal
2021 count
132
% of total
3.3%
Change from 2016
+2.9pp
132
3.3%
+2.9pp
Dutch
2021 count
108
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
108
2.7%
+0.3pp
Italian
2021 count
105
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
105
2.6%
+0.1pp
Greek
2021 count
50
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
50
1.2%
+0.4pp
Polish
2021 count
50
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
50
1.2%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Ancestry - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+25
-1.6pp
Australian
+156
+2.2pp
Scottish
-40
-1.5pp
Irish
-20
-0.9pp
German
+28
+0.4pp
Australian Aboriginal
+115
+2.9pp
Dutch
+15
+0.3pp
Italian
+8
+0.1pp
Greek
+21
+0.4pp
Polish
-1
-0.1pp
Data table
Ancestry for Noarlunga Downs. Ancestry - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Onkaparinga (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Onkaparinga (C)% | Count | % | Onkaparinga (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 1,901 | 47.2% | 48.5% | 1,876 | 48.8% | 47.8% | +25 | -1.6pp |
| Australian | 1,531 | 38.0% | 37.7% | 1,375 | 35.8% | 37.5% | +156 | +2.2pp |
| Scottish | 348 | 8.6% | 10.0% | 388 | 10.1% | 9.6% | -40 | -1.5pp |
| Irish | 305 | 7.6% | 8.5% | 325 | 8.5% | 8.7% | -20 | -0.9pp |
| German | 255 | 6.3% | 7.4% | 227 | 5.9% | 7.2% | +28 | +0.4pp |
| Australian Aboriginal | 132 | 3.3% | 1.9% | 17 | 0.4% | 0.2% | +115 | +2.9pp |
| Dutch | 108 | 2.7% | 2.4% | 93 | 2.4% | 2.2% | +15 | +0.3pp |
| Italian | 105 | 2.6% | 2.9% | 97 | 2.5% | 2.7% | +8 | +0.1pp |
| Greek | 50 | 1.2% | 1.0% | 29 | 0.8% | 1.0% | +21 | +0.4pp |
| Polish | 50 | 1.2% | 1.2% | 51 | 1.3% | 1.1% | -1 | -0.1pp |
Excludes ancestries with fewer than 10 responses (multi-response).