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 Buloke (S), accounting for 35.5% (2,192 people). This share was lower than Regional Vic. (44.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 722 people and 11.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Buloke (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Buloke (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 Buloke (S), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
No Religion, so described
2021 count
2,192
% of total
35.5%
Change from 2016
+11.8pp
2,192
35.5%
+11.8pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
1,448
% of total
23.4%
Change from 2016
-2.9pp
1,448
23.4%
-2.9pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
814
% of total
13.2%
Change from 2016
-5.1pp
814
13.2%
-5.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
591
% of total
9.6%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
591
9.6%
-1.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
539
% of total
8.7%
Change from 2016
-2.7pp
539
8.7%
-2.7pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
164
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
164
2.7%
-0.6pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
119
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
119
1.9%
+0.2pp
Baptist
2021 count
79
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
79
1.3%
+0.1pp
Buddhism
2021 count
37
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
37
0.6%
+0.1pp
Lutheran
2021 count
30
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
30
0.5%
0.0pp
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+722
+11.8pp
Western Catholic
-178
-2.9pp
Uniting Church
-321
-5.1pp
Not stated
-68
-1.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-166
-2.7pp
Presbyterian
-40
-0.6pp
Christianity, nfd
+14
+0.2pp
Baptist
+2
+0.1pp
Buddhism
+8
+0.1pp
Lutheran
-1
0.0pp
Data table
Religion for Buloke (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 | 2,192 | 35.5% | 44.9% | 1,470 | 23.7% | 33.7% | +722 | +11.8pp |
| Western Catholic | 1,448 | 23.4% | 19.7% | 1,626 | 26.3% | 22.7% | -178 | -2.9pp |
| Uniting Church | 814 | 13.2% | 4.7% | 1,135 | 18.3% | 6.5% | -321 | -5.1pp |
| Not stated | 591 | 9.6% | 7.7% | 659 | 10.6% | 9.8% | -68 | -1.0pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 539 | 8.7% | 9.8% | 705 | 11.4% | 13.3% | -166 | -2.7pp |
| Presbyterian | 164 | 2.7% | 2.2% | 204 | 3.3% | 3.2% | -40 | -0.6pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 119 | 1.9% | 2.1% | 105 | 1.7% | 2.1% | +14 | +0.2pp |
| Baptist | 79 | 1.3% | 1.2% | 77 | 1.2% | 1.3% | +2 | +0.1pp |
| Buddhism | 37 | 0.6% | 0.9% | 29 | 0.5% | 0.8% | +8 | +0.1pp |
| Lutheran | 30 | 0.5% | 0.7% | 31 | 0.5% | 0.9% | -1 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 6,176 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,190 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -14 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.