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 Elizabeth South were English, Australian and Australian Aboriginal.
Section overview
Ancestry - Ranked by size
Elizabeth South - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises ancestry for Elizabeth South in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Playford (C) and change since 2016.
Ancestry - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Elizabeth South, with comparison markers for Playford (C).
English
2021 count
1,069
% of total
18.3%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
1,069
18.3%
-0.7pp
Australian
2021 count
928
% of total
15.9%
Change from 2016
-8.4pp
928
15.9%
-8.4pp
Australian Aboriginal
2021 count
181
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
-
181
3.1%
-
Irish
2021 count
177
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
177
3.0%
-1.4pp
Scottish
2021 count
170
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
-4.2pp
170
2.9%
-4.2pp
German
2021 count
131
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
-3.1pp
131
2.2%
-3.1pp
Italian
2021 count
85
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-
85
1.5%
-
Hazara
2021 count
54
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-
54
0.9%
-
Filipino
2021 count
43
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-
43
0.7%
-
Afghan
2021 count
43
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-
43
0.7%
-
Chart view
Ancestry - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,026
-0.7pp
Australian
+873
-8.4pp
Irish
+167
-1.4pp
Scottish
+154
-4.2pp
German
+119
-3.1pp
Greek
+18
-1.8pp
Data table
Ancestry for Elizabeth South. Ancestry - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Playford (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Playford (C)% | Count | % | Playford (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 1,069 | 18.3% | 20.8% | 43 | 19.0% | 21.6% | +1,026 | -0.7pp |
| Australian | 928 | 15.9% | 17.8% | 55 | 24.3% | 18.5% | +873 | -8.4pp |
| Australian Aboriginal | 181 | 3.1% | 2.0% | - | - | 0.3% | - | - |
| Irish | 177 | 3.0% | 3.1% | 10 | 4.4% | 3.5% | +167 | -1.4pp |
| Scottish | 170 | 2.9% | 3.8% | 16 | 7.1% | 4.1% | +154 | -4.2pp |
| German | 131 | 2.2% | 2.9% | 12 | 5.3% | 2.9% | +119 | -3.1pp |
| Italian | 85 | 1.5% | 2.0% | - | - | 1.9% | - | - |
| Hazara | 54 | 0.9% | 0.6% | - | - | 0.2% | - | - |
| Filipino | 43 | 0.7% | 0.7% | - | - | 0.5% | - | - |
| Afghan | 43 | 0.7% | 0.4% | - | - | 0.4% | - | - |
| Total | 5,839 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 226 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +5,613 | 0.0pp |
Excludes ancestries with fewer than 10 responses (multi-response).