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 Weranga were Australian, English and Australian Aboriginal.
Section overview
Ancestry - Ranked by size
Weranga - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises ancestry for Weranga in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Western Downs (R) and change since 2016.
Ancestry - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Weranga, with comparison markers for Western Downs (R).
Australian
2021 count
96
% of total
46.2%
Change from 2016
+17.8pp
96
46.2%
+17.8pp
English
2021 count
73
% of total
35.1%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
73
35.1%
-0.7pp
Australian Aboriginal
2021 count
34
% of total
16.3%
Change from 2016
+14.9pp
34
16.3%
+14.9pp
Scottish
2021 count
26
% of total
12.5%
Change from 2016
+7.4pp
26
12.5%
+7.4pp
German
2021 count
12
% of total
5.8%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
12
5.8%
+1.6pp
Irish
2021 count
10
% of total
4.8%
Change from 2016
-3.6pp
10
4.8%
-3.6pp
Chart view
Ancestry - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Australian
+35
+17.8pp
English
-4
-0.7pp
Australian Aboriginal
+31
+14.9pp
Scottish
+15
+7.4pp
German
+3
+1.6pp
Irish
-8
-3.6pp
Data table
Ancestry for Weranga. 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 | 96 | 46.2% | 42.9% | 61 | 28.4% | 45.5% | +35 | +17.8pp |
| English | 73 | 35.1% | 37.8% | 77 | 35.8% | 35.3% | -4 | -0.7pp |
| Australian Aboriginal | 34 | 16.3% | 7.0% | 3 | 1.4% | 0.5% | +31 | +14.9pp |
| Scottish | 26 | 12.5% | 9.5% | 11 | 5.1% | 9.6% | +15 | +7.4pp |
| German | 12 | 5.8% | 8.8% | 9 | 4.2% | 9.3% | +3 | +1.6pp |
| Irish | 10 | 4.8% | 10.4% | 18 | 8.4% | 10.9% | -8 | -3.6pp |
Excludes ancestries with fewer than 10 responses (multi-response).