Cultural diversity
Religion
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.
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.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Central Goldfields (S), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
No Religion, so described
Anglican Church of Australia
Western Catholic
Not stated
Uniting Church
Presbyterian
Christianity, nfd
Baptist
Salvation Army
Buddhism
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.