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 Reynella (part) were English, Australian and Scottish.

Section overview

Ancestry - Ranked by size

Reynella (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises ancestry for Reynella (part) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Onkaparinga (C) and change since 2016.

Ancestry - Ranked by size snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Reynella (part), with comparison markers for Onkaparinga (C).

Reynella (part)
Onkaparinga (C)

English

2021 count

2,308

% of total

23.9%

Change from 2016

-1.1pp

Australian

2021 count

1,891

% of total

19.6%

Change from 2016

-

Scottish

2021 count

455

% of total

4.7%

Change from 2016

-

Irish

2021 count

401

% of total

4.1%

Change from 2016

-

German

2021 count

310

% of total

3.2%

Change from 2016

-

Italian

2021 count

206

% of total

2.1%

Change from 2016

-

Dutch

2021 count

114

% of total

1.2%

Change from 2016

-

Australian Aboriginal

2021 count

78

% of total

0.8%

Change from 2016

-

Indian

2021 count

71

% of total

0.7%

Change from 2016

-

Filipino

2021 count

65

% of total

0.7%

Change from 2016

-

Data table

Ancestry for Reynella (part). Ancestry - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Onkaparinga (C).

Ancestry for Reynella (part). Ancestry - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Onkaparinga (C).
Ancestry for Reynella (part). Ancestry - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Onkaparinga (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Onkaparinga (C)%Count%Onkaparinga (C)%Countpp
English2,30823.9%24.2%625.0%23.9%+2,302-1.1pp
Australian1,89119.6%18.8%--18.8%--
Scottish4554.7%5.0%--4.8%--
Irish4014.1%4.2%--4.3%--
German3103.2%3.7%--3.6%--
Italian2062.1%1.4%--1.3%--
Dutch1141.2%1.2%--1.1%--
Australian Aboriginal780.8%0.9%--0.1%--
Indian710.7%0.5%--0.4%--
Filipino650.7%0.5%--0.4%--
Total9,669100.0%100.0%24100.0%100.0%+9,6450.0pp

Excludes ancestries with fewer than 10 responses (multi-response).