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 Ararat (RC), accounting for 44.4% (5,263 people). This share was lower than Regional Vic. (44.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 1,489 people and 11.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Ararat (RC) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Ararat (RC) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Vic. and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Ararat (RC), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
No Religion, so described
2021 count
5,263
% of total
44.4%
Change from 2016
+11.8pp
5,263
44.4%
+11.8pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
1,860
% of total
15.7%
Change from 2016
-3.9pp
1,860
15.7%
-3.9pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,678
% of total
14.1%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
1,678
14.1%
-1.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
1,015
% of total
8.6%
Change from 2016
-3.2pp
1,015
8.6%
-3.2pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
808
% of total
6.8%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
808
6.8%
-2.2pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
282
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
282
2.4%
-1.8pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
157
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
157
1.3%
-0.1pp
Lutheran
2021 count
87
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
87
0.7%
-0.3pp
Hinduism
2021 count
84
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
84
0.7%
+0.4pp
Islam
2021 count
79
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
79
0.7%
+0.3pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+1,489
+11.8pp
Western Catholic
-407
-3.9pp
Not stated
-96
-1.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-349
-3.2pp
Uniting Church
-233
-2.2pp
Presbyterian
-199
-1.8pp
Christianity, nfd
-7
-0.1pp
Lutheran
-34
-0.3pp
Hinduism
+47
+0.4pp
Islam
+29
+0.3pp
Data table
Religion for Ararat (RC). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Vic..
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Vic.% | Count | % | Regional Vic.% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 5,263 | 44.4% | 44.9% | 3,774 | 32.6% | 33.7% | +1,489 | +11.8pp |
| Western Catholic | 1,860 | 15.7% | 19.7% | 2,267 | 19.6% | 22.7% | -407 | -3.9pp |
| Not stated | 1,678 | 14.1% | 7.7% | 1,774 | 15.3% | 9.8% | -96 | -1.2pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 1,015 | 8.6% | 9.8% | 1,364 | 11.8% | 13.3% | -349 | -3.2pp |
| Uniting Church | 808 | 6.8% | 4.7% | 1,041 | 9.0% | 6.5% | -233 | -2.2pp |
| Presbyterian | 282 | 2.4% | 2.2% | 481 | 4.2% | 3.2% | -199 | -1.8pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 157 | 1.3% | 2.1% | 164 | 1.4% | 2.1% | -7 | -0.1pp |
| Lutheran | 87 | 0.7% | 0.7% | 121 | 1.0% | 0.9% | -34 | -0.3pp |
| Hinduism | 84 | 0.7% | 0.7% | 37 | 0.3% | 0.4% | +47 | +0.4pp |
| Islam | 79 | 0.7% | 0.9% | 50 | 0.4% | 0.7% | +29 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 11,860 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 11,588 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +272 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.