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 Swanfels were Australian, English and Irish.
Section overview
Ancestry - Ranked by size
Swanfels - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises ancestry for Swanfels in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Southern Downs (R) and change since 2016.
Ancestry - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Swanfels, with comparison markers for Southern Downs (R).
Australian
2021 count
59
% of total
45.0%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
59
45.0%
+1.8pp
English
2021 count
47
% of total
35.9%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
47
35.9%
+1.1pp
Irish
2021 count
24
% of total
18.3%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
24
18.3%
-2.2pp
Chart view
Ancestry - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Australian
+2
+1.8pp
English
+1
+1.1pp
Irish
-3
-2.2pp
Data table
Ancestry for Swanfels. 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 | 59 | 45.0% | 40.2% | 57 | 43.2% | 42.3% | +2 | +1.8pp |
| English | 47 | 35.9% | 41.2% | 46 | 34.8% | 41.1% | +1 | +1.1pp |
| Irish | 24 | 18.3% | 13.3% | 27 | 20.5% | 14.1% | -3 | -2.2pp |
Excludes ancestries with fewer than 10 responses (multi-response).