Cultural diversity
Religion
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.
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.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Dorset (M), with comparison markers for Regional Tas..
No Religion, so described
Anglican Church of Australia
Not stated
Western Catholic
Presbyterian
Uniting Church
Christianity, nfd
Brethren
Pentecostal, nfd
Baptist
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.