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 Glenelg (S), accounting for 47% (9,458 people). This share was higher than Regional Vic. (44.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 2,878 people and 13.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Glenelg (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Glenelg (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Vic. and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Glenelg (S), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
No Religion, so described
2021 count
9,458
% of total
47.0%
Change from 2016
+13.3pp
9,458
47.0%
+13.3pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
2,677
% of total
13.3%
Change from 2016
-2.6pp
2,677
13.3%
-2.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
2,032
% of total
10.1%
Change from 2016
-3.6pp
2,032
10.1%
-3.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,740
% of total
8.6%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
1,740
8.6%
-2.1pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
1,431
% of total
7.1%
Change from 2016
-2.8pp
1,431
7.1%
-2.8pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
712
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
712
3.5%
-1.7pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
473
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
473
2.4%
+0.2pp
Lutheran
2021 count
359
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
359
1.8%
-0.7pp
Baptist
2021 count
286
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
286
1.4%
-0.3pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
174
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
174
0.9%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+2,878
+13.3pp
Western Catholic
-432
-2.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-643
-3.6pp
Not stated
-343
-2.1pp
Uniting Church
-497
-2.8pp
Presbyterian
-312
-1.7pp
Christianity, nfd
+34
+0.2pp
Lutheran
-128
-0.7pp
Baptist
-45
-0.3pp
Pentecostal, nfd
+42
+0.2pp
Data table
Religion for Glenelg (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 | 9,458 | 47.0% | 44.9% | 6,580 | 33.7% | 33.7% | +2,878 | +13.3pp |
| Western Catholic | 2,677 | 13.3% | 19.7% | 3,109 | 15.9% | 22.7% | -432 | -2.6pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 2,032 | 10.1% | 9.8% | 2,675 | 13.7% | 13.3% | -643 | -3.6pp |
| Not stated | 1,740 | 8.6% | 7.7% | 2,083 | 10.7% | 9.8% | -343 | -2.1pp |
| Uniting Church | 1,431 | 7.1% | 4.7% | 1,928 | 9.9% | 6.5% | -497 | -2.8pp |
| Presbyterian | 712 | 3.5% | 2.2% | 1,024 | 5.2% | 3.2% | -312 | -1.7pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 473 | 2.4% | 2.1% | 439 | 2.2% | 2.1% | +34 | +0.2pp |
| Lutheran | 359 | 1.8% | 0.7% | 487 | 2.5% | 0.9% | -128 | -0.7pp |
| Baptist | 286 | 1.4% | 1.2% | 331 | 1.7% | 1.3% | -45 | -0.3pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 174 | 0.9% | 0.7% | 132 | 0.7% | 0.7% | +42 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 20,121 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 19,551 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +570 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.