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 Ballarat (C), accounting for 47.5% (54,034 people). This share was higher than Regional Vic. (44.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 16,497 people and 10.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Ballarat (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Ballarat (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Vic. and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Ballarat (C), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
No Religion, so described
2021 count
54,034
% of total
47.5%
Change from 2016
+10.6pp
54,034
47.5%
+10.6pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
24,223
% of total
21.3%
Change from 2016
-3.0pp
24,223
21.3%
-3.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
9,030
% of total
7.9%
Change from 2016
-2.7pp
9,030
7.9%
-2.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
6,788
% of total
6.0%
Change from 2016
-2.5pp
6,788
6.0%
-2.5pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
5,408
% of total
4.8%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
5,408
4.8%
-2.0pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
2,154
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
2,154
1.9%
-0.8pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
2,021
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
2,021
1.8%
0.0pp
Hinduism
2021 count
1,320
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
1,320
1.2%
+0.6pp
Buddhism
2021 count
873
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
873
0.8%
0.0pp
Baptist
2021 count
866
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
866
0.8%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+16,497
+10.6pp
Western Catholic
-497
-3.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-1,793
-2.7pp
Not stated
-1,849
-2.5pp
Uniting Church
-1,521
-2.0pp
Presbyterian
-636
-0.8pp
Christianity, nfd
+200
0.0pp
Hinduism
+706
+0.6pp
Buddhism
+109
0.0pp
Baptist
-34
-0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Ballarat (C). 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 | 54,034 | 47.5% | 44.9% | 37,537 | 36.9% | 33.7% | +16,497 | +10.6pp |
| Western Catholic | 24,223 | 21.3% | 19.7% | 24,720 | 24.3% | 22.7% | -497 | -3.0pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 9,030 | 7.9% | 9.8% | 10,823 | 10.6% | 13.3% | -1,793 | -2.7pp |
| Not stated | 6,788 | 6.0% | 7.7% | 8,637 | 8.5% | 9.8% | -1,849 | -2.5pp |
| Uniting Church | 5,408 | 4.8% | 4.7% | 6,929 | 6.8% | 6.5% | -1,521 | -2.0pp |
| Presbyterian | 2,154 | 1.9% | 2.2% | 2,790 | 2.7% | 3.2% | -636 | -0.8pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 2,021 | 1.8% | 2.1% | 1,821 | 1.8% | 2.1% | +200 | 0.0pp |
| Hinduism | 1,320 | 1.2% | 0.7% | 614 | 0.6% | 0.4% | +706 | +0.6pp |
| Buddhism | 873 | 0.8% | 0.9% | 764 | 0.8% | 0.8% | +109 | 0.0pp |
| Baptist | 866 | 0.8% | 1.2% | 900 | 0.9% | 1.3% | -34 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 113,768 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 101,646 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +12,122 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.