Cultural diversity
Religion
Religion records a person's stated religious affiliation, including no religion and not stated responses. It is a measure of cultural identity and belief rather than practice or participation.
About this topic
Religion records a person's stated religious affiliation, including no religion and not stated responses. It is a measure of cultural identity and belief rather than practice or participation.
This topic helps show the religious diversity of an area and can support planning for community facilities, faith-based services, and inclusive engagement. It is best interpreted with ancestry, birthplace, and language, which together provide a broader picture of cultural composition.
Interpretation notes
- This records stated religious affiliation, not attendance or level of religious practice.
- No religion and not stated are part of the overall picture, so interpretation should consider both affiliation and non-response.
Key insight
In 2021, No religion was the most common religious affiliation among residents in Adelaide, accounting for 52.9% (9,622 people). This share was higher than Adelaide (C) (50.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 2,416 people and 5.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Adelaide - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Adelaide in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Adelaide (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Adelaide, with comparison markers for Adelaide (C).
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Not stated
Buddhism
Anglican Church of Australia
Hinduism
Islam
Christianity, nfd
Uniting Church
Greek Orthodox
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+2,416
+5.1pp
Western Catholic
+257
-0.5pp
Not stated
-341
-4.4pp
Buddhism
+131
-0.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
+15
-0.7pp
Hinduism
+296
+1.3pp
Islam
+31
-0.3pp
Christianity, nfd
+115
+0.3pp
Uniting Church
+1
-0.4pp
Greek Orthodox
+46
0.0pp
Data table
Religion for Adelaide. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Adelaide (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Adelaide (C)% | Count | % | Adelaide (C)% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 9,622 | 52.9% | 50.8% | 7,206 | 47.8% | 44.3% | +2,416 | +5.1pp |
| Western Catholic | 1,915 | 10.5% | 12.0% | 1,658 | 11.0% | 12.6% | +257 | -0.5pp |
| Not stated | 1,875 | 10.3% | 9.9% | 2,216 | 14.7% | 14.1% | -341 | -4.4pp |
| Buddhism | 893 | 4.9% | 4.1% | 762 | 5.1% | 4.1% | +131 | -0.2pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 711 | 3.9% | 5.6% | 696 | 4.6% | 7.1% | +15 | -0.7pp |
| Hinduism | 583 | 3.2% | 2.8% | 287 | 1.9% | 2.1% | +296 | +1.3pp |
| Islam | 519 | 2.9% | 2.6% | 488 | 3.2% | 2.7% | +31 | -0.3pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 394 | 2.2% | 1.9% | 279 | 1.9% | 1.8% | +115 | +0.3pp |
| Uniting Church | 341 | 1.9% | 2.3% | 340 | 2.3% | 2.8% | +1 | -0.4pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 253 | 1.4% | 1.7% | 207 | 1.4% | 1.7% | +46 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 18,177 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 15,076 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +3,101 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.