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 Derwent Valley (M), accounting for 48.5% (5,301 people). This share was lower than Regional Tas. (49.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 1,845 people and 14 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Derwent Valley (M) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Derwent Valley (M) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Tas. and change since 2016.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Derwent Valley (M), with comparison markers for Regional Tas..
No Religion, so described
2021 count
5,301
% of total
48.5%
Change from 2016
+14.0pp
5,301
48.5%
+14.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
2,187
% of total
20.0%
Change from 2016
-7.4pp
2,187
20.0%
-7.4pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
1,654
% of total
15.1%
Change from 2016
-3.5pp
1,654
15.1%
-3.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
857
% of total
7.8%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
857
7.8%
-1.5pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
211
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
211
1.9%
-1.2pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
139
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
139
1.3%
+0.4pp
Jehovah's Witnesses
2021 count
109
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
109
1.0%
-0.2pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
57
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
57
0.5%
-0.2pp
Buddhism
2021 count
50
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
50
0.5%
+0.1pp
Salvation Army
2021 count
49
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
49
0.4%
-0.3pp
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+1,845
+14.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-557
-7.4pp
Western Catholic
-207
-3.5pp
Not stated
-74
-1.5pp
Uniting Church
-101
-1.2pp
Christianity, nfd
+44
+0.4pp
Jehovah's Witnesses
-12
-0.2pp
Presbyterian
-11
-0.2pp
Buddhism
+8
+0.1pp
Salvation Army
-18
-0.3pp
Data table
Religion for Derwent Valley (M). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Tas..
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Tas.% | Count | % | Regional Tas.% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 5,301 | 48.5% | 49.3% | 3,456 | 34.5% | 36.1% | +1,845 | +14.0pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 2,187 | 20.0% | 14.7% | 2,744 | 27.4% | 20.8% | -557 | -7.4pp |
| Western Catholic | 1,654 | 15.1% | 11.7% | 1,861 | 18.6% | 14.5% | -207 | -3.5pp |
| Not stated | 857 | 7.8% | 7.3% | 931 | 9.3% | 9.5% | -74 | -1.5pp |
| Uniting Church | 211 | 1.9% | 3.3% | 312 | 3.1% | 4.8% | -101 | -1.2pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 139 | 1.3% | 2.9% | 95 | 0.9% | 3.0% | +44 | +0.4pp |
| Jehovah's Witnesses | 109 | 1.0% | 0.5% | 121 | 1.2% | 0.5% | -12 | -0.2pp |
| Presbyterian | 57 | 0.5% | 1.5% | 68 | 0.7% | 2.1% | -11 | -0.2pp |
| Buddhism | 50 | 0.5% | 0.8% | 42 | 0.4% | 0.7% | +8 | +0.1pp |
| Salvation Army | 49 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 67 | 0.7% | 0.4% | -18 | -0.3pp |
| Total | 10,925 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 10,020 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +905 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.