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 Unincorp. Other Territories were Australian, English and Pitcairn.
Section overview
Ancestry - Ranked by size
Unincorp. Other Territories - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises ancestry for Unincorp. Other Territories in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Other Territories and change since 2016.
Ancestry - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Unincorp. Other Territories, with comparison markers for Other Territories.
Australian
2021 count
683
% of total
13.8%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
683
13.8%
+1.8pp
English
2021 count
635
% of total
12.8%
Change from 2016
+2.4pp
635
12.8%
+2.4pp
Pitcairn
2021 count
550
% of total
11.1%
Change from 2016
+5.8pp
550
11.1%
+5.8pp
Norfolk Islander
2021 count
319
% of total
6.4%
Change from 2016
-
319
6.4%
-
Scottish
2021 count
195
% of total
3.9%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
195
3.9%
+1.6pp
Irish
2021 count
151
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
151
3.0%
+0.7pp
Australian Aboriginal
2021 count
146
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
146
2.9%
+1.8pp
New Zealander
2021 count
135
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
135
2.7%
+1.5pp
German
2021 count
51
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
51
1.0%
0.0pp
Maori
2021 count
46
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
46
0.9%
+0.4pp
Chart view
Ancestry - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Australian
-399
+1.8pp
English
-302
+2.4pp
Pitcairn
+68
+5.8pp
Scottish
-15
+1.6pp
Irish
-57
+0.7pp
Australian Aboriginal
+47
+1.8pp
New Zealander
+31
+1.5pp
German
-41
0.0pp
Maori
+3
+0.4pp
Filipino
-38
-0.1pp
Data table
Ancestry for Unincorp. Other Territories. Ancestry - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Other Territories.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Other Territories% | Count | % | Other Territories% | Count | pp | |
| Australian | 683 | 13.8% | 11.7% | 1,082 | 12.0% | 12.0% | -399 | +1.8pp |
| English | 635 | 12.8% | 9.5% | 937 | 10.4% | 10.4% | -302 | +2.4pp |
| Pitcairn | 550 | 11.1% | 5.8% | 482 | 5.3% | 5.3% | +68 | +5.8pp |
| Norfolk Islander | 319 | 6.4% | 3.3% | - | - | - | - | - |
| Scottish | 195 | 3.9% | 2.7% | 210 | 2.3% | 2.3% | -15 | +1.6pp |
| Irish | 151 | 3.0% | 2.3% | 208 | 2.3% | 2.3% | -57 | +0.7pp |
| Australian Aboriginal | 146 | 2.9% | 1.6% | 99 | 1.1% | 1.1% | +47 | +1.8pp |
| New Zealander | 135 | 2.7% | 1.6% | 104 | 1.2% | 1.2% | +31 | +1.5pp |
| German | 51 | 1.0% | 0.9% | 92 | 1.0% | 1.0% | -41 | 0.0pp |
| Maori | 46 | 0.9% | 0.5% | 43 | 0.5% | 0.5% | +3 | +0.4pp |
| Total | 4,962 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 9,015 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -4,053 | 0.0pp |
Excludes ancestries with fewer than 10 responses (multi-response).