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 Golden Plains (S), accounting for 49.6% (12,382 people). This share was higher than Regional Vic. (44.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 4,298 people and 12.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Golden Plains (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Golden Plains (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Vic. and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Golden Plains (S), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
No Religion, so described
2021 count
12,382
% of total
49.6%
Change from 2016
+12.3pp
12,382
49.6%
+12.3pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
5,129
% of total
20.5%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
5,129
20.5%
-2.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
2,010
% of total
8.0%
Change from 2016
-3.8pp
2,010
8.0%
-3.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,599
% of total
6.4%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
1,599
6.4%
-2.0pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
958
% of total
3.8%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
958
3.8%
-1.9pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
674
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
674
2.7%
-1.5pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
622
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
622
2.5%
-0.1pp
Baptist
2021 count
341
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
341
1.4%
-0.1pp
Lutheran
2021 count
182
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
182
0.7%
-0.2pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
164
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
164
0.7%
0.0pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+4,298
+12.3pp
Western Catholic
+216
-2.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-559
-3.8pp
Not stated
-229
-2.0pp
Uniting Church
-269
-1.9pp
Presbyterian
-226
-1.5pp
Christianity, nfd
+48
-0.1pp
Baptist
+13
-0.1pp
Lutheran
-9
-0.2pp
Pentecostal, nfd
+7
0.0pp
Data table
Religion for Golden Plains (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 | 12,382 | 49.6% | 44.9% | 8,084 | 37.3% | 33.7% | +4,298 | +12.3pp |
| Western Catholic | 5,129 | 20.5% | 19.7% | 4,913 | 22.7% | 22.7% | +216 | -2.2pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 2,010 | 8.0% | 9.8% | 2,569 | 11.8% | 13.3% | -559 | -3.8pp |
| Not stated | 1,599 | 6.4% | 7.7% | 1,828 | 8.4% | 9.8% | -229 | -2.0pp |
| Uniting Church | 958 | 3.8% | 4.7% | 1,227 | 5.7% | 6.5% | -269 | -1.9pp |
| Presbyterian | 674 | 2.7% | 2.2% | 900 | 4.2% | 3.2% | -226 | -1.5pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 622 | 2.5% | 2.1% | 574 | 2.6% | 2.1% | +48 | -0.1pp |
| Baptist | 341 | 1.4% | 1.2% | 328 | 1.5% | 1.3% | +13 | -0.1pp |
| Lutheran | 182 | 0.7% | 0.7% | 191 | 0.9% | 0.9% | -9 | -0.2pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 164 | 0.7% | 0.7% | 157 | 0.7% | 0.7% | +7 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 24,977 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 21,681 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +3,296 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.