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 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
Western Catholic
Not stated
Anglican Church of Australia
Uniting Church
Presbyterian
Christianity, nfd
Lutheran
Hinduism
Islam
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.