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 Drillham South were Australian, English and Irish.
Section overview
Ancestry - Ranked by size
Drillham South - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises ancestry for Drillham South in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Western Downs (R) and change since 2016.
Ancestry - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Drillham South, with comparison markers for Western Downs (R).
Australian
2021 count
41
% of total
56.2%
Change from 2016
+8.4pp
41
56.2%
+8.4pp
English
2021 count
22
% of total
30.1%
Change from 2016
-5.7pp
22
30.1%
-5.7pp
Irish
2021 count
14
% of total
19.2%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
14
19.2%
-0.2pp
German
2021 count
13
% of total
17.8%
Change from 2016
+2.9pp
13
17.8%
+2.9pp
Chart view
Ancestry - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Australian
+9
+8.4pp
English
-2
-5.7pp
Irish
+1
-0.2pp
German
+3
+2.9pp
Data table
Ancestry for Drillham South. Ancestry - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Western Downs (R).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Western Downs (R)% | Count | % | Western Downs (R)% | Count | pp | |
| Australian | 41 | 56.2% | 42.9% | 32 | 47.8% | 45.5% | +9 | +8.4pp |
| English | 22 | 30.1% | 37.8% | 24 | 35.8% | 35.3% | -2 | -5.7pp |
| Irish | 14 | 19.2% | 10.4% | 13 | 19.4% | 10.9% | +1 | -0.2pp |
| German | 13 | 17.8% | 8.8% | 10 | 14.9% | 9.3% | +3 | +2.9pp |
Excludes ancestries with fewer than 10 responses (multi-response).