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 Mount Marshall were English, Australian and Irish.
Section overview
Ancestry - Ranked by size
Mount Marshall - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises ancestry for Mount Marshall in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Southern Downs (R) and change since 2016.
Ancestry - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Mount Marshall, with comparison markers for Southern Downs (R).
English
2021 count
113
% of total
49.3%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
113
49.3%
-2.1pp
Australian
2021 count
79
% of total
34.5%
Change from 2016
-6.2pp
79
34.5%
-6.2pp
Irish
2021 count
36
% of total
15.7%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
36
15.7%
+0.5pp
German
2021 count
24
% of total
10.5%
Change from 2016
+2.7pp
24
10.5%
+2.7pp
Scottish
2021 count
17
% of total
7.4%
Change from 2016
-5.4pp
17
7.4%
-5.4pp
Australian Aboriginal
2021 count
16
% of total
7.0%
Change from 2016
+4.9pp
16
7.0%
+4.9pp
Chart view
Ancestry - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-12
-2.1pp
Australian
-20
-6.2pp
Irish
-1
+0.5pp
German
+5
+2.7pp
Scottish
-14
-5.4pp
Australian Aboriginal
+11
+4.9pp
Data table
Ancestry for Mount Marshall. 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 | 113 | 49.3% | 41.2% | 125 | 51.4% | 41.1% | -12 | -2.1pp |
| Australian | 79 | 34.5% | 40.2% | 99 | 40.7% | 42.3% | -20 | -6.2pp |
| Irish | 36 | 15.7% | 13.3% | 37 | 15.2% | 14.1% | -1 | +0.5pp |
| German | 24 | 10.5% | 6.9% | 19 | 7.8% | 7.3% | +5 | +2.7pp |
| Scottish | 17 | 7.4% | 11.4% | 31 | 12.8% | 10.9% | -14 | -5.4pp |
| Australian Aboriginal | 16 | 7.0% | 4.9% | 5 | 2.1% | 0.5% | +11 | +4.9pp |
Excludes ancestries with fewer than 10 responses (multi-response).