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 Freestone were English, Australian and Scottish.
Section overview
Ancestry - Ranked by size
Freestone - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises ancestry for Freestone in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Southern Downs (R) and change since 2016.
Ancestry - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Freestone, with comparison markers for Southern Downs (R).
English
2021 count
91
% of total
43.8%
Change from 2016
-3.2pp
91
43.8%
-3.2pp
Australian
2021 count
89
% of total
42.8%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
89
42.8%
+0.4pp
Scottish
2021 count
25
% of total
12.0%
Change from 2016
-2.7pp
25
12.0%
-2.7pp
Irish
2021 count
23
% of total
11.1%
Change from 2016
-4.6pp
23
11.1%
-4.6pp
German
2021 count
11
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
-3.0pp
11
5.3%
-3.0pp
Chart view
Ancestry - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-11
-3.2pp
Australian
-3
+0.4pp
Scottish
-7
-2.7pp
Irish
-11
-4.6pp
German
-7
-3.0pp
Data table
Ancestry for Freestone. 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 | |
| English | 91 | 43.8% | 41.2% | 102 | 47.0% | 41.1% | -11 | -3.2pp |
| Australian | 89 | 42.8% | 40.2% | 92 | 42.4% | 42.3% | -3 | +0.4pp |
| Scottish | 25 | 12.0% | 11.4% | 32 | 14.7% | 10.9% | -7 | -2.7pp |
| Irish | 23 | 11.1% | 13.3% | 34 | 15.7% | 14.1% | -11 | -4.6pp |
| German | 11 | 5.3% | 6.9% | 18 | 8.3% | 7.3% | -7 | -3.0pp |
Excludes ancestries with fewer than 10 responses (multi-response).