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 Hills (DC), accounting for 53.7% (21,961 people). This share was higher than Greater Adelaide (44.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 5,527 people and 11.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Adelaide Hills (DC) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Adelaide Hills (DC) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Adelaide and change since 2016.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Adelaide Hills (DC), with comparison markers for Greater Adelaide.
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Anglican Church of Australia
Not stated
Uniting Church
Lutheran
Christianity, nfd
Baptist
Buddhism
Pentecostal, nfd
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+5,527
+11.4pp
Western Catholic
-402
-1.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-992
-3.0pp
Not stated
-862
-2.5pp
Uniting Church
-881
-2.6pp
Lutheran
-349
-1.1pp
Christianity, nfd
-82
-0.4pp
Baptist
+176
+0.3pp
Buddhism
-109
-0.3pp
Pentecostal, nfd
-12
-0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Adelaide Hills (DC). 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 | 21,961 | 53.7% | 44.6% | 16,434 | 42.3% | 35.6% | +5,527 | +11.4pp |
| Western Catholic | 4,342 | 10.6% | 16.4% | 4,744 | 12.2% | 18.9% | -402 | -1.6pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 3,451 | 8.4% | 7.0% | 4,443 | 11.4% | 9.8% | -992 | -3.0pp |
| Not stated | 2,446 | 6.0% | 5.2% | 3,308 | 8.5% | 8.0% | -862 | -2.5pp |
| Uniting Church | 2,221 | 5.4% | 3.9% | 3,102 | 8.0% | 5.8% | -881 | -2.6pp |
| Lutheran | 1,501 | 3.7% | 1.6% | 1,850 | 4.8% | 2.1% | -349 | -1.1pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 1,200 | 2.9% | 2.7% | 1,282 | 3.3% | 2.8% | -82 | -0.4pp |
| Baptist | 1,022 | 2.5% | 1.6% | 846 | 2.2% | 1.7% | +176 | +0.3pp |
| Buddhism | 325 | 0.8% | 2.3% | 434 | 1.1% | 2.2% | -109 | -0.3pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 243 | 0.6% | 1.1% | 255 | 0.7% | 1.0% | -12 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 40,864 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 38,842 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,022 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.