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 Benalla, accounting for 41.9% (4,531 people). This share was lower than Benalla (RC) (42.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 1,322 people and 10.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Benalla - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Benalla in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Benalla (RC) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Benalla, with comparison markers for Benalla (RC).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
4,531
% of total
41.9%
Change from 2016
+10.8pp
4,531
41.9%
+10.8pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
2,069
% of total
19.1%
Change from 2016
-3.3pp
2,069
19.1%
-3.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
1,255
% of total
11.6%
Change from 2016
-3.7pp
1,255
11.6%
-3.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,057
% of total
9.8%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
1,057
9.8%
+0.1pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
593
% of total
5.5%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
593
5.5%
-2.0pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
374
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
374
3.5%
-1.7pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
176
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
176
1.6%
-0.4pp
Baptist
2021 count
104
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
104
1.0%
-0.1pp
Hinduism
2021 count
79
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
79
0.7%
+0.3pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
73
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
73
0.7%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+1,322
+10.8pp
Western Catholic
-243
-3.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-323
-3.7pp
Not stated
+60
+0.1pp
Uniting Church
-185
-2.0pp
Presbyterian
-157
-1.7pp
Christianity, nfd
-29
-0.4pp
Baptist
-5
-0.1pp
Hinduism
+33
+0.3pp
Pentecostal, nfd
+21
+0.2pp
Data table
Religion for Benalla. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Benalla (RC).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Benalla (RC)% | Count | % | Benalla (RC)% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 4,531 | 41.9% | 42.5% | 3,209 | 31.1% | 31.3% | +1,322 | +10.8pp |
| Western Catholic | 2,069 | 19.1% | 18.3% | 2,312 | 22.4% | 21.1% | -243 | -3.3pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 1,255 | 11.6% | 11.8% | 1,578 | 15.3% | 15.4% | -323 | -3.7pp |
| Not stated | 1,057 | 9.8% | 9.9% | 997 | 9.7% | 10.4% | +60 | +0.1pp |
| Uniting Church | 593 | 5.5% | 5.4% | 778 | 7.5% | 7.5% | -185 | -2.0pp |
| Presbyterian | 374 | 3.5% | 3.3% | 531 | 5.2% | 5.0% | -157 | -1.7pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 176 | 1.6% | 2.0% | 205 | 2.0% | 2.2% | -29 | -0.4pp |
| Baptist | 104 | 1.0% | 1.1% | 109 | 1.1% | 1.3% | -5 | -0.1pp |
| Hinduism | 79 | 0.7% | 0.5% | 46 | 0.4% | 0.3% | +33 | +0.3pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 73 | 0.7% | 0.8% | 52 | 0.5% | 0.8% | +21 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 10,807 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 10,310 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +497 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.