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 Hookswood were Australian, Irish and English.

Section overview

Ancestry - Ranked by size

Hookswood - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises ancestry for Hookswood in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Western Downs (R) and change since 2016.

Ancestry - Ranked by size snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Hookswood, with comparison markers for Western Downs (R).

Hookswood
Western Downs (R)

Australian

2021 count

23

% of total

18.9%

Change from 2016

-15.1pp

Irish

2021 count

14

% of total

11.5%

Change from 2016

+8.3pp

English

2021 count

13

% of total

10.7%

Change from 2016

+1.1pp

Scottish

2021 count

12

% of total

9.8%

Change from 2016

+4.5pp

Data table

Ancestry for Hookswood. Ancestry - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Western Downs (R).

Ancestry for Hookswood. Ancestry - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Western Downs (R).
Ancestry for Hookswood. Ancestry - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Western Downs (R).
Category20212016Change
Count%Western Downs (R)%Count%Western Downs (R)%Countpp
Australian2318.9%21.4%3234.0%22.8%-9-15.1pp
Irish1411.5%5.2%33.2%5.4%+11+8.3pp
English1310.7%18.9%99.6%17.7%+4+1.1pp
Scottish129.8%4.7%55.3%4.8%+7+4.5pp
Total122100.0%100.0%94100.0%100.0%+280.0pp

Excludes ancestries with fewer than 10 responses (multi-response).