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 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
2021 count
23,633
% of total
34.6%
Change from 2016
+7.5pp
23,633
34.6%
+7.5pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
15,165
% of total
22.2%
Change from 2016
-2.4pp
15,165
22.2%
-2.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
5,907
% of total
8.6%
Change from 2016
-2.9pp
5,907
8.6%
-2.9pp
Not stated
2021 count
5,811
% of total
8.5%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
5,811
8.5%
-2.2pp
Islam
2021 count
4,350
% of total
6.4%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
4,350
6.4%
+0.9pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
3,140
% of total
4.6%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
3,140
4.6%
-1.5pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
1,637
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
1,637
2.4%
+0.4pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
1,523
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
1,523
2.2%
-1.2pp
Sikhism
2021 count
1,445
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
1,445
2.1%
+0.8pp
Hinduism
2021 count
973
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
973
1.4%
+0.6pp
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.