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 Willunga South were English, Australian and Scottish.
Section overview
Ancestry - Ranked by size
Willunga South - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises ancestry for Willunga South in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Onkaparinga (C) and change since 2016.
Ancestry - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Willunga South, with comparison markers for Onkaparinga (C).
English
2021 count
206
% of total
43.8%
Change from 2016
-4.0pp
206
43.8%
-4.0pp
Australian
2021 count
175
% of total
37.2%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
175
37.2%
+0.6pp
Scottish
2021 count
56
% of total
11.9%
Change from 2016
+2.6pp
56
11.9%
+2.6pp
Irish
2021 count
48
% of total
10.2%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
48
10.2%
+1.9pp
German
2021 count
44
% of total
9.4%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
44
9.4%
-1.1pp
Italian
2021 count
18
% of total
3.8%
Change from 2016
+3.1pp
18
3.8%
+3.1pp
Greek
2021 count
10
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
10
2.1%
+1.1pp
Chart view
Ancestry - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+10
-4.0pp
Australian
+25
+0.6pp
Scottish
+18
+2.6pp
Irish
+14
+1.9pp
German
+1
-1.1pp
Italian
+15
+3.1pp
Greek
+6
+1.1pp
Data table
Ancestry for Willunga South. 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 | 206 | 43.8% | 48.5% | 196 | 47.8% | 47.8% | +10 | -4.0pp |
| Australian | 175 | 37.2% | 37.7% | 150 | 36.6% | 37.5% | +25 | +0.6pp |
| Scottish | 56 | 11.9% | 10.0% | 38 | 9.3% | 9.6% | +18 | +2.6pp |
| Irish | 48 | 10.2% | 8.5% | 34 | 8.3% | 8.7% | +14 | +1.9pp |
| German | 44 | 9.4% | 7.4% | 43 | 10.5% | 7.2% | +1 | -1.1pp |
| Italian | 18 | 3.8% | 2.9% | 3 | 0.7% | 2.7% | +15 | +3.1pp |
| Greek | 10 | 2.1% | 1.0% | 4 | 1.0% | 1.0% | +6 | +1.1pp |
Excludes ancestries with fewer than 10 responses (multi-response).