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 Bass Coast (S), accounting for 49.5% (20,182 people). This share was higher than Regional Vic. (44.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 7,385 people and 10.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Bass Coast (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Bass Coast (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Vic. and change since 2016.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Bass Coast (S), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
No Religion, so described
2021 count
20,182
% of total
49.5%
Change from 2016
+10.5pp
20,182
49.5%
+10.5pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
6,693
% of total
16.4%
Change from 2016
-2.6pp
6,693
16.4%
-2.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
4,577
% of total
11.2%
Change from 2016
-4.0pp
4,577
11.2%
-4.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
3,331
% of total
8.2%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
3,331
8.2%
-1.5pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
1,408
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
1,408
3.5%
-1.0pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
765
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
765
1.9%
-0.1pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
748
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
748
1.8%
-0.9pp
Baptist
2021 count
707
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
707
1.7%
-0.3pp
Buddhism
2021 count
390
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
390
1.0%
0.0pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
288
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
288
0.7%
+0.1pp
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+7,385
+10.5pp
Western Catholic
+445
-2.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-425
-4.0pp
Not stated
+144
-1.5pp
Uniting Church
-80
-1.0pp
Christianity, nfd
+116
-0.1pp
Presbyterian
-144
-0.9pp
Baptist
+66
-0.3pp
Buddhism
+46
0.0pp
Greek Orthodox
+105
+0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Bass Coast (S). 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 | 20,182 | 49.5% | 44.9% | 12,797 | 39.0% | 33.7% | +7,385 | +10.5pp |
| Western Catholic | 6,693 | 16.4% | 19.7% | 6,248 | 19.0% | 22.7% | +445 | -2.6pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 4,577 | 11.2% | 9.8% | 5,002 | 15.2% | 13.3% | -425 | -4.0pp |
| Not stated | 3,331 | 8.2% | 7.7% | 3,187 | 9.7% | 9.8% | +144 | -1.5pp |
| Uniting Church | 1,408 | 3.5% | 4.7% | 1,488 | 4.5% | 6.5% | -80 | -1.0pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 765 | 1.9% | 2.1% | 649 | 2.0% | 2.1% | +116 | -0.1pp |
| Presbyterian | 748 | 1.8% | 2.2% | 892 | 2.7% | 3.2% | -144 | -0.9pp |
| Baptist | 707 | 1.7% | 1.2% | 641 | 2.0% | 1.3% | +66 | -0.3pp |
| Buddhism | 390 | 1.0% | 0.9% | 344 | 1.0% | 0.8% | +46 | 0.0pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 288 | 0.7% | 0.5% | 183 | 0.6% | 0.5% | +105 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 40,772 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 32,830 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +7,942 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.