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 (RC), accounting for 42.5% (6,171 people). This share was lower than Regional Vic. (44.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 1,837 people and 11.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Benalla (RC) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Benalla (RC) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Vic. and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Benalla (RC), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
No Religion, so described
2021 count
6,171
% of total
42.5%
Change from 2016
+11.2pp
6,171
42.5%
+11.2pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
2,660
% of total
18.3%
Change from 2016
-2.8pp
2,660
18.3%
-2.8pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
1,719
% of total
11.8%
Change from 2016
-3.6pp
1,719
11.8%
-3.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,433
% of total
9.9%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
1,433
9.9%
-0.5pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
788
% of total
5.4%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
788
5.4%
-2.1pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
481
% of total
3.3%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
481
3.3%
-1.7pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
287
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
287
2.0%
-0.2pp
Baptist
2021 count
162
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
162
1.1%
-0.2pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
109
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
109
0.8%
0.0pp
Hinduism
2021 count
79
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
79
0.5%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+1,837
+11.2pp
Western Catholic
-270
-2.8pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-410
-3.6pp
Not stated
-11
-0.5pp
Uniting Church
-245
-2.1pp
Presbyterian
-208
-1.7pp
Christianity, nfd
-23
-0.2pp
Baptist
-21
-0.2pp
Pentecostal, nfd
+4
0.0pp
Hinduism
+33
+0.2pp
Data table
Religion for Benalla (RC). 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 | 6,171 | 42.5% | 44.9% | 4,334 | 31.3% | 33.7% | +1,837 | +11.2pp |
| Western Catholic | 2,660 | 18.3% | 19.7% | 2,930 | 21.1% | 22.7% | -270 | -2.8pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 1,719 | 11.8% | 9.8% | 2,129 | 15.4% | 13.3% | -410 | -3.6pp |
| Not stated | 1,433 | 9.9% | 7.7% | 1,444 | 10.4% | 9.8% | -11 | -0.5pp |
| Uniting Church | 788 | 5.4% | 4.7% | 1,033 | 7.5% | 6.5% | -245 | -2.1pp |
| Presbyterian | 481 | 3.3% | 2.2% | 689 | 5.0% | 3.2% | -208 | -1.7pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 287 | 2.0% | 2.1% | 310 | 2.2% | 2.1% | -23 | -0.2pp |
| Baptist | 162 | 1.1% | 1.2% | 183 | 1.3% | 1.3% | -21 | -0.2pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 109 | 0.8% | 0.7% | 105 | 0.8% | 0.7% | +4 | 0.0pp |
| Hinduism | 79 | 0.5% | 0.7% | 46 | 0.3% | 0.4% | +33 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 14,521 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 13,861 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +660 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.