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 Emu Heights (NSW) were Australian, English and Irish.
Section overview
Ancestry - Ranked by size
Emu Heights (NSW) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises ancestry for Emu Heights (NSW) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Penrith (C) and change since 2016.
Ancestry - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Emu Heights (NSW), with comparison markers for Penrith (C).
Australian
2021 count
1,404
% of total
43.8%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
1,404
43.8%
0.0pp
English
2021 count
1,259
% of total
39.3%
Change from 2016
-5.1pp
1,259
39.3%
-5.1pp
Irish
2021 count
436
% of total
13.6%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
436
13.6%
-1.7pp
Scottish
2021 count
360
% of total
11.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
360
11.2%
-0.1pp
German
2021 count
141
% of total
4.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
141
4.4%
-0.1pp
Italian
2021 count
120
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
120
3.7%
+1.2pp
Australian Aboriginal
2021 count
111
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
-
111
3.5%
-
Dutch
2021 count
89
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
89
2.8%
+0.1pp
Maltese
2021 count
81
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
81
2.5%
0.0pp
Filipino
2021 count
42
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
42
1.3%
+0.3pp
Chart view
Ancestry - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Australian
-36
0.0pp
English
-202
-5.1pp
Irish
-67
-1.7pp
Scottish
-11
-0.1pp
German
-6
-0.1pp
Italian
+38
+1.2pp
Dutch
-1
+0.1pp
Maltese
-1
0.0pp
Filipino
+8
+0.3pp
Chinese
+18
+0.6pp
Data table
Ancestry for Emu Heights (NSW). Ancestry - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Penrith (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Penrith (C)% | Count | % | Penrith (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Australian | 1,404 | 43.8% | 33.3% | 1,440 | 43.8% | 35.7% | -36 | 0.0pp |
| English | 1,259 | 39.3% | 30.2% | 1,461 | 44.4% | 33.3% | -202 | -5.1pp |
| Irish | 436 | 13.6% | 8.2% | 503 | 15.3% | 9.8% | -67 | -1.7pp |
| Scottish | 360 | 11.2% | 6.7% | 371 | 11.3% | 7.4% | -11 | -0.1pp |
| German | 141 | 4.4% | 2.9% | 147 | 4.5% | 3.3% | -6 | -0.1pp |
| Italian | 120 | 3.7% | 3.7% | 82 | 2.5% | 3.7% | +38 | +1.2pp |
| Australian Aboriginal | 111 | 3.5% | 4.6% | - | - | 0.6% | - | - |
| Dutch | 89 | 2.8% | 1.4% | 90 | 2.7% | 1.5% | -1 | +0.1pp |
| Maltese | 81 | 2.5% | 4.0% | 82 | 2.5% | 3.9% | -1 | 0.0pp |
| Filipino | 42 | 1.3% | 3.6% | 34 | 1.0% | 2.8% | +8 | +0.3pp |
Excludes ancestries with fewer than 10 responses (multi-response).