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 Allan were Australian, English and Irish.
Section overview
Ancestry - Ranked by size
Allan - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises ancestry for Allan in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Southern Downs (R) and change since 2016.
Ancestry - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Allan, with comparison markers for Southern Downs (R).
Australian
2021 count
49
% of total
26.2%
Change from 2016
+5.0pp
49
26.2%
+5.0pp
English
2021 count
25
% of total
13.4%
Change from 2016
-3.7pp
25
13.4%
-3.7pp
Irish
2021 count
17
% of total
9.1%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
17
9.1%
-0.3pp
Scottish
2021 count
15
% of total
8.0%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
15
8.0%
+1.5pp
Chart view
Ancestry - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Australian
+13
+5.0pp
English
-4
-3.7pp
Irish
+1
-0.3pp
Scottish
+4
+1.5pp
Data table
Ancestry for Allan. Ancestry - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Southern Downs (R).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Southern Downs (R)% | Count | % | Southern Downs (R)% | Count | pp | |
| Australian | 49 | 26.2% | 20.1% | 36 | 21.2% | 21.1% | +13 | +5.0pp |
| English | 25 | 13.4% | 20.6% | 29 | 17.1% | 20.5% | -4 | -3.7pp |
| Irish | 17 | 9.1% | 6.7% | 16 | 9.4% | 7.0% | +1 | -0.3pp |
| Scottish | 15 | 8.0% | 5.7% | 11 | 6.5% | 5.4% | +4 | +1.5pp |
| Total | 187 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 170 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +17 | 0.0pp |
Excludes ancestries with fewer than 10 responses (multi-response).