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 Kingswood (Penrith - NSW) were Australian, English and Irish.

Section overview

Ancestry - Ranked by size

Kingswood (Penrith - NSW) - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises ancestry for Kingswood (Penrith - NSW) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Penrith (C) and change since 2016.

Ancestry - Ranked by size snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Kingswood (Penrith - NSW), with comparison markers for Penrith (C).

Kingswood (Penrith - NSW)
Penrith (C)

Australian

2021 count

3,042

% of total

14.3%

Change from 2016

-6.3pp

English

2021 count

2,813

% of total

13.3%

Change from 2016

-4.1pp

Irish

2021 count

794

% of total

3.7%

Change from 2016

-1.9pp

Indian

2021 count

676

% of total

3.2%

Change from 2016

+2.6pp

Scottish

2021 count

598

% of total

2.8%

Change from 2016

-1.8pp

Australian Aboriginal

2021 count

541

% of total

2.5%

Change from 2016

+2.2pp

Filipino

2021 count

416

% of total

2.0%

Change from 2016

+1.8pp

Chinese

2021 count

298

% of total

1.4%

Change from 2016

+0.6pp

German

2021 count

280

% of total

1.3%

Change from 2016

-0.7pp

Italian

2021 count

248

% of total

1.2%

Change from 2016

-4.9pp

Data table

Ancestry for Kingswood (Penrith - NSW). Ancestry - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Penrith (C).

Ancestry for Kingswood (Penrith - NSW). Ancestry - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Penrith (C).
Ancestry for Kingswood (Penrith - NSW). Ancestry - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Penrith (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Penrith (C)%Count%Penrith (C)%Countpp
Australian3,04214.3%16.6%28520.6%17.9%+2,757-6.3pp
English2,81313.3%15.1%24117.4%16.6%+2,572-4.1pp
Irish7943.7%4.1%775.6%4.9%+717-1.9pp
Indian6763.2%2.0%80.6%1.5%+668+2.6pp
Scottish5982.8%3.4%634.6%3.7%+535-1.8pp
Australian Aboriginal5412.5%2.3%40.3%0.3%+537+2.2pp
Filipino4162.0%1.8%30.2%1.4%+413+1.8pp
Chinese2981.4%1.0%110.8%0.9%+287+0.6pp
German2801.3%1.4%272.0%1.7%+253-0.7pp
Italian2481.2%1.9%846.1%1.8%+164-4.9pp
Total21,224100.0%100.0%1,382100.0%100.0%+19,8420.0pp

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