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 Baw Baw (S), accounting for 48.3% (27,796 people). This share was higher than Regional Vic. (44.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 10,852 people and 13.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Baw Baw (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Baw Baw (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Vic. and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Baw Baw (S), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
No Religion, so described
2021 count
27,796
% of total
48.3%
Change from 2016
+13.3pp
27,796
48.3%
+13.3pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
9,559
% of total
16.6%
Change from 2016
-3.4pp
9,559
16.6%
-3.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
6,115
% of total
10.6%
Change from 2016
-4.8pp
6,115
10.6%
-4.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
4,090
% of total
7.1%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
4,090
7.1%
-2.2pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
2,053
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
2,053
3.6%
-1.5pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
1,623
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
1,623
2.8%
-0.3pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
1,576
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
1,576
2.7%
-1.5pp
Baptist
2021 count
752
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
752
1.3%
0.0pp
Buddhism
2021 count
462
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
462
0.8%
+0.2pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
376
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
376
0.7%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+10,852
+13.3pp
Western Catholic
-124
-3.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-1,359
-4.8pp
Not stated
-431
-2.2pp
Uniting Church
-429
-1.5pp
Christianity, nfd
+133
-0.3pp
Presbyterian
-459
-1.5pp
Baptist
+101
0.0pp
Buddhism
+160
+0.2pp
Pentecostal, nfd
+99
+0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Baw Baw (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 | 27,796 | 48.3% | 44.9% | 16,944 | 35.0% | 33.7% | +10,852 | +13.3pp |
| Western Catholic | 9,559 | 16.6% | 19.7% | 9,683 | 20.0% | 22.7% | -124 | -3.4pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 6,115 | 10.6% | 9.8% | 7,474 | 15.4% | 13.3% | -1,359 | -4.8pp |
| Not stated | 4,090 | 7.1% | 7.7% | 4,521 | 9.3% | 9.8% | -431 | -2.2pp |
| Uniting Church | 2,053 | 3.6% | 4.7% | 2,482 | 5.1% | 6.5% | -429 | -1.5pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 1,623 | 2.8% | 2.1% | 1,490 | 3.1% | 2.1% | +133 | -0.3pp |
| Presbyterian | 1,576 | 2.7% | 2.2% | 2,035 | 4.2% | 3.2% | -459 | -1.5pp |
| Baptist | 752 | 1.3% | 1.2% | 651 | 1.3% | 1.3% | +101 | 0.0pp |
| Buddhism | 462 | 0.8% | 0.9% | 302 | 0.6% | 0.8% | +160 | +0.2pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 376 | 0.7% | 0.7% | 277 | 0.6% | 0.7% | +99 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 57,608 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 48,479 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +9,129 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.