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 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.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Adelaide Hills (DC), with comparison markers for Greater Adelaide.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
21,961
% of total
53.7%
Change from 2016
+11.4pp
21,961
53.7%
+11.4pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
4,342
% of total
10.6%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
4,342
10.6%
-1.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
3,451
% of total
8.4%
Change from 2016
-3.0pp
3,451
8.4%
-3.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
2,446
% of total
6.0%
Change from 2016
-2.5pp
2,446
6.0%
-2.5pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
2,221
% of total
5.4%
Change from 2016
-2.6pp
2,221
5.4%
-2.6pp
Lutheran
2021 count
1,501
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
1,501
3.7%
-1.1pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
1,200
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
1,200
2.9%
-0.4pp
Baptist
2021 count
1,022
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
1,022
2.5%
+0.3pp
Buddhism
2021 count
325
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
325
0.8%
-0.3pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
243
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
243
0.6%
-0.1pp
Chart view
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.