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 Chatswood West (part) were English, Chinese and Australian.
Section overview
Ancestry - Ranked by size
Chatswood West (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises ancestry for Chatswood West (part) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Willoughby (C) and change since 2016.
Ancestry - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Chatswood West (part), with comparison markers for Willoughby (C).
English
2021 count
443
% of total
14.6%
Change from 2016
+7.5pp
443
14.6%
+7.5pp
Chinese
2021 count
398
% of total
13.2%
Change from 2016
-7.1pp
398
13.2%
-7.1pp
Australian
2021 count
320
% of total
10.6%
Change from 2016
+5.2pp
320
10.6%
+5.2pp
Irish
2021 count
139
% of total
4.6%
Change from 2016
+2.0pp
139
4.6%
+2.0pp
Scottish
2021 count
105
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
105
3.5%
+1.6pp
Italian
2021 count
48
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
48
1.6%
+0.6pp
Dutch
2021 count
46
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
46
1.5%
+1.2pp
German
2021 count
46
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
46
1.5%
+0.8pp
Korean
2021 count
31
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-2.9pp
31
1.0%
-2.9pp
Indian
2021 count
30
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
30
1.0%
-1.1pp
Chart view
Ancestry - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-3,114
+7.5pp
Chinese
-9,700
-7.1pp
Australian
-2,380
+5.2pp
Irish
-1,158
+2.0pp
Scottish
-844
+1.6pp
Italian
-460
+0.6pp
Dutch
-88
+1.2pp
German
-326
+0.8pp
Korean
-1,886
-2.9pp
Indian
-1,036
-1.1pp
Data table
Ancestry for Chatswood West (part). Ancestry - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Willoughby (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Willoughby (C)% | Count | % | Willoughby (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 443 | 14.6% | 11.7% | 3,557 | 7.1% | 12.2% | -3,114 | +7.5pp |
| Chinese | 398 | 13.2% | 13.2% | 10,098 | 20.3% | 12.1% | -9,700 | -7.1pp |
| Australian | 320 | 10.6% | 10.0% | 2,700 | 5.4% | 10.1% | -2,380 | +5.2pp |
| Irish | 139 | 4.6% | 4.3% | 1,297 | 2.6% | 4.8% | -1,158 | +2.0pp |
| Scottish | 105 | 3.5% | 3.5% | 949 | 1.9% | 3.4% | -844 | +1.6pp |
| Italian | 48 | 1.6% | 1.6% | 508 | 1.0% | 1.6% | -460 | +0.6pp |
| Dutch | 46 | 1.5% | 0.5% | 134 | 0.3% | 0.5% | -88 | +1.2pp |
| German | 46 | 1.5% | 1.2% | 372 | 0.7% | 1.2% | -326 | +0.8pp |
| Korean | 31 | 1.0% | 1.4% | 1,917 | 3.9% | 1.8% | -1,886 | -2.9pp |
| Indian | 30 | 1.0% | 2.0% | 1,066 | 2.1% | 1.7% | -1,036 | -1.1pp |
| Total | 3,025 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 49,781 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -46,756 | 0.0pp |
Excludes ancestries with fewer than 10 responses (multi-response).