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 Forest, accounting for 48.8% (224 people). This share was higher than Circular Head (M) (45%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 62 people and 15 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Forest - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Forest in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Circular Head (M) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Forest, with comparison markers for Circular Head (M).
No Religion, so described
Anglican Church of Australia
Western Catholic
Christianity, nfd
Not stated
Pentecostal, nfd
Brethren
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+62
+15.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-30
-5.7pp
Western Catholic
-3
-0.2pp
Christianity, nfd
-20
-3.8pp
Not stated
-24
-4.7pp
Pentecostal, nfd
+7
+1.7pp
Brethren
-12
-2.4pp
Data table
Religion for Forest. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Circular Head (M).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Circular Head (M)% | Count | % | Circular Head (M)% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 224 | 48.8% | 45.0% | 162 | 33.8% | 32.8% | +62 | +15.0pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 64 | 13.9% | 13.5% | 94 | 19.6% | 18.5% | -30 | -5.7pp |
| Western Catholic | 45 | 9.8% | 11.4% | 48 | 10.0% | 15.6% | -3 | -0.2pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 43 | 9.4% | 5.2% | 63 | 13.2% | 8.4% | -20 | -3.8pp |
| Not stated | 26 | 5.7% | 10.5% | 50 | 10.4% | 10.3% | -24 | -4.7pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 21 | 4.6% | 2.1% | 14 | 2.9% | 2.0% | +7 | +1.7pp |
| Brethren | 11 | 2.4% | 1.2% | 23 | 4.8% | 2.1% | -12 | -2.4pp |
| Total | 459 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 479 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -20 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.