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 East Gippsland (S), accounting for 47.9% (23,329 people). This share was higher than Regional Vic. (44.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 6,890 people and 11.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
East Gippsland (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for East Gippsland (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Vic. and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for East Gippsland (S), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
No Religion, so described
2021 count
23,329
% of total
47.9%
Change from 2016
+11.4pp
23,329
47.9%
+11.4pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
7,118
% of total
14.6%
Change from 2016
-2.5pp
7,118
14.6%
-2.5pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
6,336
% of total
13.0%
Change from 2016
-4.4pp
6,336
13.0%
-4.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
4,431
% of total
9.1%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
4,431
9.1%
-2.1pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
1,933
% of total
4.0%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
1,933
4.0%
-1.4pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
1,128
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
1,128
2.3%
-1.1pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
916
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
916
1.9%
-0.1pp
Baptist
2021 count
570
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
570
1.2%
-0.1pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
463
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
463
1.0%
+0.2pp
Buddhism
2021 count
334
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
334
0.7%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+6,890
+11.4pp
Western Catholic
-588
-2.5pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-1,480
-4.4pp
Not stated
-633
-2.1pp
Uniting Church
-482
-1.4pp
Presbyterian
-401
-1.1pp
Christianity, nfd
+21
-0.1pp
Baptist
-3
-0.1pp
Pentecostal, nfd
+83
+0.2pp
Buddhism
+50
+0.1pp
Data table
Religion for East Gippsland (S). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Vic..
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Vic.% | Count | % | Regional Vic.% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 23,329 | 47.9% | 44.9% | 16,439 | 36.5% | 33.7% | +6,890 | +11.4pp |
| Western Catholic | 7,118 | 14.6% | 19.7% | 7,706 | 17.1% | 22.7% | -588 | -2.5pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 6,336 | 13.0% | 9.8% | 7,816 | 17.4% | 13.3% | -1,480 | -4.4pp |
| Not stated | 4,431 | 9.1% | 7.7% | 5,064 | 11.2% | 9.8% | -633 | -2.1pp |
| Uniting Church | 1,933 | 4.0% | 4.7% | 2,415 | 5.4% | 6.5% | -482 | -1.4pp |
| Presbyterian | 1,128 | 2.3% | 2.2% | 1,529 | 3.4% | 3.2% | -401 | -1.1pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 916 | 1.9% | 2.1% | 895 | 2.0% | 2.1% | +21 | -0.1pp |
| Baptist | 570 | 1.2% | 1.2% | 573 | 1.3% | 1.3% | -3 | -0.1pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 463 | 1.0% | 0.7% | 380 | 0.8% | 0.7% | +83 | +0.2pp |
| Buddhism | 334 | 0.7% | 0.9% | 284 | 0.6% | 0.8% | +50 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 48,713 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 45,015 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +3,698 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.