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 Maryvale (Southern Downs - Qld) were English, Australian and Irish.
Section overview
Ancestry - Ranked by size
Maryvale (Southern Downs - Qld) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises ancestry for Maryvale (Southern Downs - Qld) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Southern Downs (R) and change since 2016.
Ancestry - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Maryvale (Southern Downs - Qld), with comparison markers for Southern Downs (R).
English
2021 count
169
% of total
22.2%
Change from 2016
+2.9pp
169
22.2%
+2.9pp
Australian
2021 count
163
% of total
21.4%
Change from 2016
-3.0pp
163
21.4%
-3.0pp
Irish
2021 count
54
% of total
7.1%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
54
7.1%
+1.8pp
Scottish
2021 count
46
% of total
6.0%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
46
6.0%
+1.2pp
German
2021 count
20
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
20
2.6%
-0.2pp
Australian Aboriginal
2021 count
13
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
13
1.7%
+1.6pp
Chart view
Ancestry - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-1,333
+2.9pp
Australian
-1,734
-3.0pp
Irish
-359
+1.8pp
Scottish
-328
+1.2pp
German
-198
-0.2pp
Australian Aboriginal
+5
+1.6pp
Data table
Ancestry for Maryvale (Southern Downs - Qld). 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 | 169 | 22.2% | 20.6% | 1,502 | 19.3% | 20.5% | -1,333 | +2.9pp |
| Australian | 163 | 21.4% | 20.1% | 1,897 | 24.4% | 21.1% | -1,734 | -3.0pp |
| Irish | 54 | 7.1% | 6.7% | 413 | 5.3% | 7.0% | -359 | +1.8pp |
| Scottish | 46 | 6.0% | 5.7% | 374 | 4.8% | 5.4% | -328 | +1.2pp |
| German | 20 | 2.6% | 3.5% | 218 | 2.8% | 3.7% | -198 | -0.2pp |
| Australian Aboriginal | 13 | 1.7% | 2.5% | 8 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +5 | +1.6pp |
| Total | 761 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 7,779 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -7,018 | 0.0pp |
Excludes ancestries with fewer than 10 responses (multi-response).