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 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
Western Catholic
Anglican Church of Australia
Not stated
Uniting Church
Baptist
Christianity, nfd
Presbyterian
Buddhism
Pentecostal, nfd
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.