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 Vale (part) were English, Australian and Bhutanese.
Section overview
Ancestry - Ranked by size
Elizabeth Vale (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises ancestry for Elizabeth Vale (part) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Playford (C) and change since 2016.
Ancestry - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Elizabeth Vale (part), with comparison markers for Playford (C).
English
2021 count
1,369
% of total
15.9%
Change from 2016
+4.1pp
1,369
15.9%
+4.1pp
Australian
2021 count
1,125
% of total
13.0%
Change from 2016
-3.7pp
1,125
13.0%
-3.7pp
Bhutanese
2021 count
392
% of total
4.5%
Change from 2016
-
392
4.5%
-
Nepalese
2021 count
328
% of total
3.8%
Change from 2016
-
328
3.8%
-
Scottish
2021 count
273
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
-2.7pp
273
3.2%
-2.7pp
Irish
2021 count
232
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
232
2.7%
-0.2pp
Australian Aboriginal
2021 count
197
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-
197
2.3%
-
German
2021 count
176
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-16.6pp
176
2.0%
-16.6pp
Chin
2021 count
91
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-
91
1.1%
-
Hazara
2021 count
78
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-
78
0.9%
-
Chart view
Ancestry - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,357
+4.1pp
Australian
+1,108
-3.7pp
Scottish
+267
-2.7pp
Irish
+229
-0.2pp
German
+157
-16.6pp
Italian
+74
-2.0pp
Data table
Ancestry for Elizabeth Vale (part). 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 | 1,369 | 15.9% | 20.8% | 12 | 11.8% | 21.6% | +1,357 | +4.1pp |
| Australian | 1,125 | 13.0% | 17.8% | 17 | 16.7% | 18.5% | +1,108 | -3.7pp |
| Bhutanese | 392 | 4.5% | 0.4% | - | - | 0.3% | - | - |
| Nepalese | 328 | 3.8% | 0.4% | - | - | 0.2% | - | - |
| Scottish | 273 | 3.2% | 3.8% | 6 | 5.9% | 4.1% | +267 | -2.7pp |
| Irish | 232 | 2.7% | 3.1% | 3 | 2.9% | 3.5% | +229 | -0.2pp |
| Australian Aboriginal | 197 | 2.3% | 2.0% | - | - | 0.3% | - | - |
| German | 176 | 2.0% | 2.9% | 19 | 18.6% | 2.9% | +157 | -16.6pp |
| Chin | 91 | 1.1% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Hazara | 78 | 0.9% | 0.6% | - | - | 0.2% | - | - |
| Total | 8,637 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 102 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +8,535 | 0.0pp |
Excludes ancestries with fewer than 10 responses (multi-response).