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 Central Goldfields (S), accounting for 44.6% (6,011 people). This share was lower than Regional Vic. (44.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 1,575 people and 10.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Central Goldfields (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Central Goldfields (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Vic. and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Central Goldfields (S), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
No Religion, so described
2021 count
6,011
% of total
44.6%
Change from 2016
+10.5pp
6,011
44.6%
+10.5pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
2,035
% of total
15.1%
Change from 2016
-3.7pp
2,035
15.1%
-3.7pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
2,034
% of total
15.1%
Change from 2016
-3.2pp
2,034
15.1%
-3.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,189
% of total
8.8%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
1,189
8.8%
-0.1pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
795
% of total
5.9%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
795
5.9%
-2.1pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
335
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
335
2.5%
-1.2pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
250
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
250
1.9%
+0.7pp
Baptist
2021 count
83
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
83
0.6%
-0.2pp
Salvation Army
2021 count
72
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
72
0.5%
-0.3pp
Buddhism
2021 count
67
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
67
0.5%
0.0pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+1,575
+10.5pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-409
-3.7pp
Western Catholic
-347
-3.2pp
Not stated
+36
-0.1pp
Uniting Church
-248
-2.1pp
Presbyterian
-147
-1.2pp
Christianity, nfd
+94
+0.7pp
Baptist
-17
-0.2pp
Salvation Army
-32
-0.3pp
Buddhism
+6
0.0pp
Data table
Religion for Central Goldfields (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 | 6,011 | 44.6% | 44.9% | 4,436 | 34.1% | 33.7% | +1,575 | +10.5pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 2,035 | 15.1% | 9.8% | 2,444 | 18.8% | 13.3% | -409 | -3.7pp |
| Western Catholic | 2,034 | 15.1% | 19.7% | 2,381 | 18.3% | 22.7% | -347 | -3.2pp |
| Not stated | 1,189 | 8.8% | 7.7% | 1,153 | 8.9% | 9.8% | +36 | -0.1pp |
| Uniting Church | 795 | 5.9% | 4.7% | 1,043 | 8.0% | 6.5% | -248 | -2.1pp |
| Presbyterian | 335 | 2.5% | 2.2% | 482 | 3.7% | 3.2% | -147 | -1.2pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 250 | 1.9% | 2.1% | 156 | 1.2% | 2.1% | +94 | +0.7pp |
| Baptist | 83 | 0.6% | 1.2% | 100 | 0.8% | 1.3% | -17 | -0.2pp |
| Salvation Army | 72 | 0.5% | 0.2% | 104 | 0.8% | 0.3% | -32 | -0.3pp |
| Buddhism | 67 | 0.5% | 0.9% | 61 | 0.5% | 0.8% | +6 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 13,475 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 13,001 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +474 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.