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 Darwin (C), accounting for 38.9% (31,354 people). This share was lower than Greater Darwin (41.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 6,768 people and 7.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Darwin (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Darwin (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Darwin and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Darwin (C), with comparison markers for Greater Darwin.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
31,354
% of total
38.9%
Change from 2016
+7.7pp
31,354
38.9%
+7.7pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
15,148
% of total
18.8%
Change from 2016
-3.3pp
15,148
18.8%
-3.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
7,423
% of total
9.2%
Change from 2016
-3.9pp
7,423
9.2%
-3.9pp
Hinduism
2021 count
4,273
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
+2.2pp
4,273
5.3%
+2.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
4,122
% of total
5.1%
Change from 2016
-2.5pp
4,122
5.1%
-2.5pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
3,339
% of total
4.1%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
3,339
4.1%
-0.2pp
Buddhism
2021 count
2,977
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
2,977
3.7%
+0.4pp
Islam
2021 count
2,244
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
2,244
2.8%
+0.9pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
1,735
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
1,735
2.2%
-0.8pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
1,645
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
1,645
2.0%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+6,768
+7.7pp
Western Catholic
-2,228
-3.3pp
Not stated
-2,917
-3.9pp
Hinduism
+1,864
+2.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-1,846
-2.5pp
Greek Orthodox
-36
-0.2pp
Buddhism
+353
+0.4pp
Islam
+709
+0.9pp
Uniting Church
-624
-0.8pp
Christianity, nfd
-51
-0.2pp
Data table
Religion for Darwin (C). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Darwin.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Darwin% | Count | % | Greater Darwin% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 31,354 | 38.9% | 41.7% | 24,586 | 31.2% | 32.8% | +6,768 | +7.7pp |
| Western Catholic | 15,148 | 18.8% | 18.1% | 17,376 | 22.1% | 21.4% | -2,228 | -3.3pp |
| Not stated | 7,423 | 9.2% | 10.5% | 10,340 | 13.1% | 14.1% | -2,917 | -3.9pp |
| Hinduism | 4,273 | 5.3% | 3.7% | 2,409 | 3.1% | 2.2% | +1,864 | +2.2pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 4,122 | 5.1% | 5.8% | 5,968 | 7.6% | 8.7% | -1,846 | -2.5pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 3,339 | 4.1% | 2.9% | 3,375 | 4.3% | 2.9% | -36 | -0.2pp |
| Buddhism | 2,977 | 3.7% | 3.0% | 2,624 | 3.3% | 2.8% | +353 | +0.4pp |
| Islam | 2,244 | 2.8% | 2.1% | 1,535 | 1.9% | 1.5% | +709 | +0.9pp |
| Uniting Church | 1,735 | 2.2% | 2.2% | 2,359 | 3.0% | 3.2% | -624 | -0.8pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 1,645 | 2.0% | 2.1% | 1,696 | 2.2% | 2.2% | -51 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 80,525 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 78,782 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,743 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.