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 The Gums were Australian, English and Irish.
Section overview
Ancestry - Ranked by size
The Gums - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises ancestry for The Gums in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Western Downs (R) and change since 2016.
Ancestry - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for The Gums, with comparison markers for Western Downs (R).
Australian
2021 count
72
% of total
43.6%
Change from 2016
+7.1pp
72
43.6%
+7.1pp
English
2021 count
65
% of total
39.4%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
65
39.4%
-2.1pp
Irish
2021 count
21
% of total
12.7%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
21
12.7%
-1.8pp
German
2021 count
21
% of total
12.7%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
21
12.7%
-1.8pp
Scottish
2021 count
15
% of total
9.1%
Change from 2016
-10.4pp
15
9.1%
-10.4pp
Chart view
Ancestry - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Australian
+14
+7.1pp
English
-1
-2.1pp
Irish
-2
-1.8pp
German
-2
-1.8pp
Scottish
-16
-10.4pp
Data table
Ancestry for The Gums. 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 | 72 | 43.6% | 42.9% | 58 | 36.5% | 45.5% | +14 | +7.1pp |
| English | 65 | 39.4% | 37.8% | 66 | 41.5% | 35.3% | -1 | -2.1pp |
| Irish | 21 | 12.7% | 10.4% | 23 | 14.5% | 10.9% | -2 | -1.8pp |
| German | 21 | 12.7% | 8.8% | 23 | 14.5% | 9.3% | -2 | -1.8pp |
| Scottish | 15 | 9.1% | 9.5% | 31 | 19.5% | 9.6% | -16 | -10.4pp |
Excludes ancestries with fewer than 10 responses (multi-response).