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 Merriwa (WA) were English, Australian and Scottish.
Section overview
Ancestry - Ranked by size
Merriwa (WA) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises ancestry for Merriwa (WA) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Wanneroo (C) and change since 2016.
Ancestry - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Merriwa (WA), with comparison markers for Wanneroo (C).
English
2021 count
2,458
% of total
22.0%
Change from 2016
+3.5pp
2,458
22.0%
+3.5pp
Australian
2021 count
1,739
% of total
15.5%
Change from 2016
-11.4pp
1,739
15.5%
-11.4pp
Scottish
2021 count
484
% of total
4.3%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
484
4.3%
-0.4pp
Irish
2021 count
479
% of total
4.3%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
479
4.3%
+1.4pp
Italian
2021 count
186
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-
186
1.7%
-
Australian Aboriginal
2021 count
167
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-
167
1.5%
-
German
2021 count
155
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-
155
1.4%
-
Maori
2021 count
147
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
147
1.3%
+0.2pp
South African
2021 count
105
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-
105
0.9%
-
Dutch
2021 count
95
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-
95
0.8%
-
Chart view
Ancestry - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+2,407
+3.5pp
Australian
+1,665
-11.4pp
Scottish
+471
-0.4pp
Irish
+471
+1.4pp
Maori
+144
+0.2pp
New Zealander
+87
-1.4pp
Data table
Ancestry for Merriwa (WA). Ancestry - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Wanneroo (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Wanneroo (C)% | Count | % | Wanneroo (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 2,458 | 22.0% | 19.9% | 51 | 18.5% | 19.7% | +2,407 | +3.5pp |
| Australian | 1,739 | 15.5% | 13.1% | 74 | 26.9% | 13.3% | +1,665 | -11.4pp |
| Scottish | 484 | 4.3% | 4.3% | 13 | 4.7% | 4.2% | +471 | -0.4pp |
| Irish | 479 | 4.3% | 4.3% | 8 | 2.9% | 4.1% | +471 | +1.4pp |
| Italian | 186 | 1.7% | 2.3% | - | - | 2.2% | - | - |
| Australian Aboriginal | 167 | 1.5% | 0.9% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| German | 155 | 1.4% | 1.3% | - | - | 1.3% | - | - |
| Maori | 147 | 1.3% | 0.9% | 3 | 1.1% | 0.9% | +144 | +0.2pp |
| South African | 105 | 0.9% | 1.2% | - | - | 1.1% | - | - |
| Dutch | 95 | 0.8% | 0.9% | - | - | 0.9% | - | - |
| Total | 11,185 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 275 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +10,910 | 0.0pp |
Excludes ancestries with fewer than 10 responses (multi-response).