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 Bridport, accounting for 46.2% (799 people). This share was lower than Dorset (M) (46.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 240 people and 10.4 percentage points.

Section overview

Religion - Ranked by size

Bridport - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises religion for Bridport in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Dorset (M) and change since 2016.

Religion - Ranked by size snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Bridport, with comparison markers for Dorset (M).

Bridport
Dorset (M)

No Religion, so described

2021 count

799

% of total

46.2%

Change from 2016

+10.4pp

Anglican Church of Australia

2021 count

374

% of total

21.6%

Change from 2016

-6.5pp

Not stated

2021 count

181

% of total

10.5%

Change from 2016

+0.8pp

Western Catholic

2021 count

147

% of total

8.5%

Change from 2016

-2.6pp

Uniting Church

2021 count

84

% of total

4.9%

Change from 2016

-0.5pp

Presbyterian

2021 count

56

% of total

3.2%

Change from 2016

-1.2pp

Christianity, nfd

2021 count

25

% of total

1.4%

Change from 2016

-0.3pp

Pentecostal, nfd

2021 count

11

% of total

0.6%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Hinduism

2021 count

11

% of total

0.6%

Change from 2016

-

Data table

Religion for Bridport. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Dorset (M).

Religion for Bridport. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Dorset (M).
Religion for Bridport. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Dorset (M).
Category20212016Change
Count%Dorset (M)%Count%Dorset (M)%Countpp
No Religion, so described79946.2%46.8%55935.8%34.4%+240+10.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia37421.6%19.7%43928.1%27.1%-65-6.5pp
Not stated18110.5%9.5%1529.7%9.6%+29+0.8pp
Western Catholic1478.5%7.6%17411.1%10.3%-27-2.6pp
Uniting Church844.9%3.2%845.4%3.9%0-0.5pp
Presbyterian563.2%3.4%694.4%4.8%-13-1.2pp
Christianity, nfd251.4%2.7%261.7%3.2%-1-0.3pp
Pentecostal, nfd110.6%0.6%110.7%0.9%0-0.1pp
Hinduism110.6%0.2%--0.1%--
Total1,728100.0%100.0%1,563100.0%100.0%+1650.0pp

Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.