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 Dundas (NSW) were Chinese, English and Australian.
Section overview
Ancestry - Ranked by size
Dundas (NSW) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises ancestry for Dundas (NSW) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Parramatta (C) and change since 2016.
Ancestry - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Dundas (NSW), with comparison markers for Parramatta (C).
Chinese
2021 count
1,207
% of total
12.2%
Change from 2016
-
1,207
12.2%
-
English
2021 count
918
% of total
9.2%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
918
9.2%
-0.7pp
Australian
2021 count
854
% of total
8.6%
Change from 2016
-17.8pp
854
8.6%
-17.8pp
Korean
2021 count
430
% of total
4.3%
Change from 2016
-
430
4.3%
-
Irish
2021 count
275
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
-8.2pp
275
2.8%
-8.2pp
Scottish
2021 count
251
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
-6.8pp
251
2.5%
-6.8pp
Italian
2021 count
231
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-
231
2.3%
-
Filipino
2021 count
167
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-
167
1.7%
-
Indian
2021 count
153
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-
153
1.5%
-
Lebanese
2021 count
152
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-
152
1.5%
-
Chart view
Ancestry - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+900
-0.7pp
Australian
+806
-17.8pp
Irish
+255
-8.2pp
Scottish
+234
-6.8pp
Welsh
+4
-3.7pp
Data table
Ancestry for Dundas (NSW). Ancestry - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Parramatta (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Parramatta (C)% | Count | % | Parramatta (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Chinese | 1,207 | 12.2% | 11.2% | - | - | 10.0% | - | - |
| English | 918 | 9.2% | 7.2% | 18 | 9.9% | 8.4% | +900 | -0.7pp |
| Australian | 854 | 8.6% | 6.9% | 48 | 26.4% | 8.0% | +806 | -17.8pp |
| Korean | 430 | 4.3% | 3.0% | - | - | 2.6% | - | - |
| Irish | 275 | 2.8% | 2.3% | 20 | 11.0% | 2.9% | +255 | -8.2pp |
| Scottish | 251 | 2.5% | 1.8% | 17 | 9.3% | 2.2% | +234 | -6.8pp |
| Italian | 231 | 2.3% | 1.3% | - | - | 1.3% | - | - |
| Filipino | 167 | 1.7% | 1.3% | - | - | 1.1% | - | - |
| Indian | 153 | 1.5% | 5.6% | - | - | 6.2% | - | - |
| Lebanese | 152 | 1.5% | 1.8% | - | - | 1.8% | - | - |
| Total | 9,927 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 182 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +9,745 | 0.0pp |
Excludes ancestries with fewer than 10 responses (multi-response).