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 Highgate (WA) were English, Australian and Irish.
Section overview
Ancestry - Ranked by size
Highgate (WA) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises ancestry for Highgate (WA) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Vincent (C) and change since 2016.
Ancestry - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Highgate (WA), with comparison markers for Vincent (C).
English
2021 count
746
% of total
16.1%
Change from 2016
-9.7pp
746
16.1%
-9.7pp
Australian
2021 count
535
% of total
11.5%
Change from 2016
-6.8pp
535
11.5%
-6.8pp
Irish
2021 count
245
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
-3.3pp
245
5.3%
-3.3pp
Italian
2021 count
209
% of total
4.5%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
209
4.5%
+1.8pp
Scottish
2021 count
198
% of total
4.3%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
198
4.3%
-1.1pp
Chinese
2021 count
158
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
-
158
3.4%
-
German
2021 count
81
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
81
1.7%
+0.1pp
Dutch
2021 count
58
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-
58
1.3%
-
Indian
2021 count
54
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-
54
1.2%
-
Vietnamese
2021 count
51
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-
51
1.1%
-
Chart view
Ancestry - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+698
-9.7pp
Australian
+501
-6.8pp
Irish
+229
-3.3pp
Italian
+204
+1.8pp
Scottish
+188
-1.1pp
German
+78
+0.1pp
Data table
Ancestry for Highgate (WA). Ancestry - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Vincent (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Vincent (C)% | Count | % | Vincent (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 746 | 16.1% | 17.1% | 48 | 25.8% | 15.9% | +698 | -9.7pp |
| Australian | 535 | 11.5% | 13.2% | 34 | 18.3% | 12.6% | +501 | -6.8pp |
| Irish | 245 | 5.3% | 6.0% | 16 | 8.6% | 5.9% | +229 | -3.3pp |
| Italian | 209 | 4.5% | 5.1% | 5 | 2.7% | 5.1% | +204 | +1.8pp |
| Scottish | 198 | 4.3% | 4.9% | 10 | 5.4% | 4.3% | +188 | -1.1pp |
| Chinese | 158 | 3.4% | 3.1% | - | - | 2.7% | - | - |
| German | 81 | 1.7% | 1.8% | 3 | 1.6% | 1.7% | +78 | +0.1pp |
| Dutch | 58 | 1.3% | 1.0% | - | - | 0.8% | - | - |
| Indian | 54 | 1.2% | 1.1% | - | - | 0.8% | - | - |
| Vietnamese | 51 | 1.1% | 1.1% | - | - | 1.0% | - | - |
| Total | 4,640 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 186 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +4,454 | 0.0pp |
Excludes ancestries with fewer than 10 responses (multi-response).