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 were Australian, English and Scottish.
Section overview
Ancestry - Ranked by size
Drillham - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises ancestry for Drillham 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, with comparison markers for Western Downs (R).
Australian
2021 count
56
% of total
49.6%
Change from 2016
+16.3pp
56
49.6%
+16.3pp
English
2021 count
40
% of total
35.4%
Change from 2016
-5.1pp
40
35.4%
-5.1pp
Scottish
2021 count
20
% of total
17.7%
Change from 2016
-4.5pp
20
17.7%
-4.5pp
Chart view
Ancestry - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Australian
+14
+16.3pp
English
-11
-5.1pp
Scottish
-8
-4.5pp
Data table
Ancestry for Drillham. 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 | 56 | 49.6% | 42.9% | 42 | 33.3% | 45.5% | +14 | +16.3pp |
| English | 40 | 35.4% | 37.8% | 51 | 40.5% | 35.3% | -11 | -5.1pp |
| Scottish | 20 | 17.7% | 9.5% | 28 | 22.2% | 9.6% | -8 | -4.5pp |
Excludes ancestries with fewer than 10 responses (multi-response).