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 Greater Bendigo (C), accounting for 46.8% (56,784 people). This share was higher than Regional Vic. (44.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 17,074 people and 10.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Greater Bendigo (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Greater Bendigo (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Vic. and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Greater Bendigo (C), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
No Religion, so described
2021 count
56,784
% of total
46.8%
Change from 2016
+10.8pp
56,784
46.8%
+10.8pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
22,899
% of total
18.9%
Change from 2016
-3.2pp
22,899
18.9%
-3.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
11,814
% of total
9.7%
Change from 2016
-3.4pp
11,814
9.7%
-3.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
8,135
% of total
6.7%
Change from 2016
-2.5pp
8,135
6.7%
-2.5pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
5,922
% of total
4.9%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
5,922
4.9%
-1.9pp
Baptist
2021 count
2,699
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
2,699
2.2%
+0.2pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
2,561
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
2,561
2.1%
-0.1pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
1,902
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
1,902
1.6%
-0.6pp
Buddhism
2021 count
1,442
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
1,442
1.2%
+0.2pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
1,175
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
1,175
1.0%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+17,074
+10.8pp
Western Catholic
-1,457
-3.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-2,613
-3.4pp
Not stated
-2,069
-2.5pp
Uniting Church
-1,634
-1.9pp
Baptist
+435
+0.2pp
Christianity, nfd
+104
-0.1pp
Presbyterian
-558
-0.6pp
Buddhism
+364
+0.2pp
Pentecostal, nfd
+198
+0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Greater Bendigo (C). 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 | 56,784 | 46.8% | 44.9% | 39,710 | 36.0% | 33.7% | +17,074 | +10.8pp |
| Western Catholic | 22,899 | 18.9% | 19.7% | 24,356 | 22.1% | 22.7% | -1,457 | -3.2pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 11,814 | 9.7% | 9.8% | 14,427 | 13.1% | 13.3% | -2,613 | -3.4pp |
| Not stated | 8,135 | 6.7% | 7.7% | 10,204 | 9.2% | 9.8% | -2,069 | -2.5pp |
| Uniting Church | 5,922 | 4.9% | 4.7% | 7,556 | 6.8% | 6.5% | -1,634 | -1.9pp |
| Baptist | 2,699 | 2.2% | 1.2% | 2,264 | 2.0% | 1.3% | +435 | +0.2pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 2,561 | 2.1% | 2.1% | 2,457 | 2.2% | 2.1% | +104 | -0.1pp |
| Presbyterian | 1,902 | 1.6% | 2.2% | 2,460 | 2.2% | 3.2% | -558 | -0.6pp |
| Buddhism | 1,442 | 1.2% | 0.9% | 1,078 | 1.0% | 0.8% | +364 | +0.2pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 1,175 | 1.0% | 0.7% | 977 | 0.9% | 0.7% | +198 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 121,444 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 110,453 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +10,991 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.