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 Shepparton (C), accounting for 34.6% (23,633 people). This share was lower than Regional Vic. (44.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 6,336 people and 7.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Greater Shepparton (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Greater Shepparton (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 Shepparton (C), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Anglican Church of Australia
Not stated
Islam
Uniting Church
Christianity, nfd
Presbyterian
Sikhism
Hinduism
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+6,336
+7.5pp
Western Catholic
-526
-2.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-1,423
-2.9pp
Not stated
-1,011
-2.2pp
Islam
+828
+0.9pp
Uniting Church
-783
-1.5pp
Christianity, nfd
+355
+0.4pp
Presbyterian
-663
-1.2pp
Sikhism
+636
+0.8pp
Hinduism
+468
+0.6pp
Data table
Religion for Greater Shepparton (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 | 23,633 | 34.6% | 44.9% | 17,297 | 27.1% | 33.7% | +6,336 | +7.5pp |
| Western Catholic | 15,165 | 22.2% | 19.7% | 15,691 | 24.6% | 22.7% | -526 | -2.4pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 5,907 | 8.6% | 9.8% | 7,330 | 11.5% | 13.3% | -1,423 | -2.9pp |
| Not stated | 5,811 | 8.5% | 7.7% | 6,822 | 10.7% | 9.8% | -1,011 | -2.2pp |
| Islam | 4,350 | 6.4% | 0.9% | 3,522 | 5.5% | 0.7% | +828 | +0.9pp |
| Uniting Church | 3,140 | 4.6% | 4.7% | 3,923 | 6.1% | 6.5% | -783 | -1.5pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 1,637 | 2.4% | 2.1% | 1,282 | 2.0% | 2.1% | +355 | +0.4pp |
| Presbyterian | 1,523 | 2.2% | 2.2% | 2,186 | 3.4% | 3.2% | -663 | -1.2pp |
| Sikhism | 1,445 | 2.1% | 0.4% | 809 | 1.3% | 0.2% | +636 | +0.8pp |
| Hinduism | 973 | 1.4% | 0.7% | 505 | 0.8% | 0.4% | +468 | +0.6pp |
| Total | 68,398 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 63,809 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +4,589 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.