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 Willoughby (NSW) were English, Australian and Chinese.
Section overview
Ancestry - Ranked by size
Willoughby (NSW) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises ancestry for Willoughby (NSW) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Willoughby (C) and change since 2016.
Ancestry - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Willoughby (NSW), with comparison markers for Willoughby (C).
English
2021 count
2,087
% of total
14.7%
Change from 2016
-8.9pp
2,087
14.7%
-8.9pp
Australian
2021 count
1,888
% of total
13.3%
Change from 2016
-10.3pp
1,888
13.3%
-10.3pp
Chinese
2021 count
1,088
% of total
7.6%
Change from 2016
-
1,088
7.6%
-
Irish
2021 count
787
% of total
5.5%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
787
5.5%
+1.4pp
Scottish
2021 count
656
% of total
4.6%
Change from 2016
-6.8pp
656
4.6%
-6.8pp
Italian
2021 count
307
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
-
307
2.2%
-
Armenian
2021 count
195
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-
195
1.4%
-
German
2021 count
189
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
189
1.3%
-1.1pp
Greek
2021 count
188
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-
188
1.3%
-
Indian
2021 count
164
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-
164
1.2%
-
Chart view
Ancestry - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+2,058
-8.9pp
Australian
+1,859
-10.3pp
Irish
+782
+1.4pp
Scottish
+642
-6.8pp
German
+186
-1.1pp
Hungarian
+36
-3.8pp
Data table
Ancestry for Willoughby (NSW). 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 | 2,087 | 14.7% | 11.7% | 29 | 23.6% | 12.2% | +2,058 | -8.9pp |
| Australian | 1,888 | 13.3% | 10.0% | 29 | 23.6% | 10.1% | +1,859 | -10.3pp |
| Chinese | 1,088 | 7.6% | 13.2% | - | - | 12.1% | - | - |
| Irish | 787 | 5.5% | 4.3% | 5 | 4.1% | 4.8% | +782 | +1.4pp |
| Scottish | 656 | 4.6% | 3.5% | 14 | 11.4% | 3.4% | +642 | -6.8pp |
| Italian | 307 | 2.2% | 1.6% | - | - | 1.6% | - | - |
| Armenian | 195 | 1.4% | 0.7% | - | - | 0.7% | - | - |
| German | 189 | 1.3% | 1.2% | 3 | 2.4% | 1.2% | +186 | -1.1pp |
| Greek | 188 | 1.3% | 0.6% | - | - | 0.6% | - | - |
| Indian | 164 | 1.2% | 2.0% | - | - | 1.7% | - | - |
| Total | 14,240 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 123 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +14,117 | 0.0pp |
Excludes ancestries with fewer than 10 responses (multi-response).