Cultural diversity
Religion
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 (C), accounting for 50.8% (12,706 people). This share was higher than Greater Adelaide (44.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 2,927 people and 6.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Adelaide (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Adelaide (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Adelaide and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Adelaide (C), with comparison markers for Greater Adelaide.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
12,706
% of total
50.8%
Change from 2016
+6.5pp
12,706
50.8%
+6.5pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
2,993
% of total
12.0%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
2,993
12.0%
-0.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
2,474
% of total
9.9%
Change from 2016
-4.2pp
2,474
9.9%
-4.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
1,401
% of total
5.6%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
1,401
5.6%
-1.5pp
Buddhism
2021 count
1,034
% of total
4.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
1,034
4.1%
0.0pp
Hinduism
2021 count
708
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
708
2.8%
+0.7pp
Islam
2021 count
642
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
642
2.6%
-0.1pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
565
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
565
2.3%
-0.5pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
487
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
487
1.9%
+0.1pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
419
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
419
1.7%
0.0pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+2,927
+6.5pp
Western Catholic
+207
-0.6pp
Not stated
-631
-4.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-160
-1.5pp
Buddhism
+123
0.0pp
Hinduism
+255
+0.7pp
Islam
+42
-0.1pp
Uniting Church
-54
-0.5pp
Christianity, nfd
+101
+0.1pp
Greek Orthodox
+55
0.0pp
Data table
Religion for Adelaide (C). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Adelaide.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Adelaide% | Count | % | Greater Adelaide% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 12,706 | 50.8% | 44.6% | 9,779 | 44.3% | 35.6% | +2,927 | +6.5pp |
| Western Catholic | 2,993 | 12.0% | 16.4% | 2,786 | 12.6% | 18.9% | +207 | -0.6pp |
| Not stated | 2,474 | 9.9% | 5.2% | 3,105 | 14.1% | 8.0% | -631 | -4.2pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 1,401 | 5.6% | 7.0% | 1,561 | 7.1% | 9.8% | -160 | -1.5pp |
| Buddhism | 1,034 | 4.1% | 2.3% | 911 | 4.1% | 2.2% | +123 | 0.0pp |
| Hinduism | 708 | 2.8% | 2.7% | 453 | 2.1% | 1.7% | +255 | +0.7pp |
| Islam | 642 | 2.6% | 2.8% | 600 | 2.7% | 2.1% | +42 | -0.1pp |
| Uniting Church | 565 | 2.3% | 3.9% | 619 | 2.8% | 5.8% | -54 | -0.5pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 487 | 1.9% | 2.7% | 386 | 1.8% | 2.8% | +101 | +0.1pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 419 | 1.7% | 2.4% | 364 | 1.7% | 2.5% | +55 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 25,024 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 22,051 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,973 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.