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
31.6%
Change from 2016
-4.7pp
1,369
31.6%
-4.7pp
Australian
2021 count
1,125
% of total
26.0%
Change from 2016
-4.0pp
1,125
26.0%
-4.0pp
Bhutanese
2021 count
392
% of total
9.1%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
392
9.1%
+1.6pp
Nepalese
2021 count
328
% of total
7.6%
Change from 2016
+3.2pp
328
7.6%
+3.2pp
Scottish
2021 count
273
% of total
6.3%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
273
6.3%
-0.2pp
Irish
2021 count
232
% of total
5.4%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
232
5.4%
-1.3pp
Australian Aboriginal
2021 count
197
% of total
4.5%
Change from 2016
+3.8pp
197
4.5%
+3.8pp
German
2021 count
176
% of total
4.1%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
176
4.1%
-0.6pp
Chin
2021 count
91
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
91
2.1%
+0.9pp
Hazara
2021 count
78
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
78
1.8%
+0.9pp
Chart view
Ancestry - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-98
-4.7pp
Australian
-87
-4.0pp
Bhutanese
+90
+1.6pp
Nepalese
+150
+3.2pp
Scottish
+9
-0.2pp
Irish
-37
-1.3pp
Australian Aboriginal
+168
+3.8pp
German
-16
-0.6pp
Chin
+43
+0.9pp
Hazara
+43
+0.9pp
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 | 31.6% | 41.6% | 1,467 | 36.3% | 43.2% | -98 | -4.7pp |
| Australian | 1,125 | 26.0% | 35.6% | 1,212 | 30.0% | 36.9% | -87 | -4.0pp |
| Bhutanese | 392 | 9.1% | 0.8% | 302 | 7.5% | 0.6% | +90 | +1.6pp |
| Nepalese | 328 | 7.6% | 0.8% | 178 | 4.4% | 0.3% | +150 | +3.2pp |
| Scottish | 273 | 6.3% | 7.6% | 264 | 6.5% | 8.2% | +9 | -0.2pp |
| Irish | 232 | 5.4% | 6.2% | 269 | 6.7% | 7.0% | -37 | -1.3pp |
| Australian Aboriginal | 197 | 4.5% | 4.0% | 29 | 0.7% | 0.6% | +168 | +3.8pp |
| German | 176 | 4.1% | 5.7% | 192 | 4.7% | 5.9% | -16 | -0.6pp |
| Chin | 91 | 2.1% | 0.3% | 48 | 1.2% | 0.1% | +43 | +0.9pp |
| Hazara | 78 | 1.8% | 1.2% | 35 | 0.9% | 0.5% | +43 | +0.9pp |
Excludes ancestries with fewer than 10 responses (multi-response).