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 Barossa (DC), accounting for 47% (11,775 people). This share was lower than Regional SA (47.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 3,826 people and 13.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Barossa (DC) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Barossa (DC) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional SA and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Barossa (DC), with comparison markers for Regional SA.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
11,775
% of total
47.0%
Change from 2016
+13.2pp
11,775
47.0%
+13.2pp
Lutheran
2021 count
4,331
% of total
17.3%
Change from 2016
-4.0pp
4,331
17.3%
-4.0pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
2,043
% of total
8.2%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
2,043
8.2%
-1.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
1,897
% of total
7.6%
Change from 2016
-2.4pp
1,897
7.6%
-2.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,569
% of total
6.3%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
1,569
6.3%
-2.0pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
1,438
% of total
5.7%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
1,438
5.7%
-2.1pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
599
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
599
2.4%
-0.4pp
Baptist
2021 count
215
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
215
0.9%
-0.1pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
206
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
206
0.8%
0.0pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
146
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
146
0.6%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+3,826
+13.2pp
Lutheran
-677
-4.0pp
Western Catholic
-261
-1.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-469
-2.4pp
Not stated
-380
-2.0pp
Uniting Church
-409
-2.1pp
Christianity, nfd
-70
-0.4pp
Baptist
-27
-0.1pp
Pentecostal, nfd
+7
0.0pp
Presbyterian
-37
-0.2pp
Data table
Religion for Barossa (DC). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional SA.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional SA% | Count | % | Regional SA% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 11,775 | 47.0% | 47.5% | 7,949 | 33.8% | 35.0% | +3,826 | +13.2pp |
| Lutheran | 4,331 | 17.3% | 5.3% | 5,008 | 21.3% | 6.5% | -677 | -4.0pp |
| Western Catholic | 2,043 | 8.2% | 11.7% | 2,304 | 9.8% | 14.5% | -261 | -1.6pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 1,897 | 7.6% | 7.8% | 2,366 | 10.0% | 10.7% | -469 | -2.4pp |
| Not stated | 1,569 | 6.3% | 8.9% | 1,949 | 8.3% | 9.8% | -380 | -2.0pp |
| Uniting Church | 1,438 | 5.7% | 7.7% | 1,847 | 7.8% | 11.4% | -409 | -2.1pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 599 | 2.4% | 2.5% | 669 | 2.8% | 2.7% | -70 | -0.4pp |
| Baptist | 215 | 0.9% | 1.1% | 242 | 1.0% | 1.2% | -27 | -0.1pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 206 | 0.8% | 1.0% | 199 | 0.8% | 1.0% | +7 | 0.0pp |
| Presbyterian | 146 | 0.6% | 1.1% | 183 | 0.8% | 1.7% | -37 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 25,052 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 23,548 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,504 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.