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 Dorset (M), accounting for 46.8% (3,200 people). This share was lower than Regional Tas. (49.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 923 people and 12.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Dorset (M) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Dorset (M) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Tas. and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Dorset (M), with comparison markers for Regional Tas..
No Religion, so described
2021 count
3,200
% of total
46.8%
Change from 2016
+12.4pp
3,200
46.8%
+12.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
1,345
% of total
19.7%
Change from 2016
-7.4pp
1,345
19.7%
-7.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
647
% of total
9.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
647
9.5%
-0.1pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
519
% of total
7.6%
Change from 2016
-2.7pp
519
7.6%
-2.7pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
232
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
232
3.4%
-1.4pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
219
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
219
3.2%
-0.7pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
182
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
182
2.7%
-0.5pp
Brethren
2021 count
95
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
95
1.4%
+0.1pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
43
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
43
0.6%
-0.3pp
Baptist
2021 count
41
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
41
0.6%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+923
+12.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-447
-7.4pp
Not stated
+11
-0.1pp
Western Catholic
-165
-2.7pp
Presbyterian
-87
-1.4pp
Uniting Church
-40
-0.7pp
Christianity, nfd
-32
-0.5pp
Brethren
+9
+0.1pp
Pentecostal, nfd
-18
-0.3pp
Baptist
+6
+0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Dorset (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 | 3,200 | 46.8% | 49.3% | 2,277 | 34.4% | 36.1% | +923 | +12.4pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 1,345 | 19.7% | 14.7% | 1,792 | 27.1% | 20.8% | -447 | -7.4pp |
| Not stated | 647 | 9.5% | 7.3% | 636 | 9.6% | 9.5% | +11 | -0.1pp |
| Western Catholic | 519 | 7.6% | 11.7% | 684 | 10.3% | 14.5% | -165 | -2.7pp |
| Presbyterian | 232 | 3.4% | 1.5% | 319 | 4.8% | 2.1% | -87 | -1.4pp |
| Uniting Church | 219 | 3.2% | 3.3% | 259 | 3.9% | 4.8% | -40 | -0.7pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 182 | 2.7% | 2.9% | 214 | 3.2% | 3.0% | -32 | -0.5pp |
| Brethren | 95 | 1.4% | 0.3% | 86 | 1.3% | 0.4% | +9 | +0.1pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 43 | 0.6% | 0.9% | 61 | 0.9% | 1.1% | -18 | -0.3pp |
| Baptist | 41 | 0.6% | 1.6% | 35 | 0.5% | 2.0% | +6 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 6,838 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,613 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +225 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.