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 Horsham (RC), accounting for 42.3% (8,647 people). This share was lower than Regional Vic. (44.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 2,865 people and 12.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Horsham (RC) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Horsham (RC) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Vic. and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Horsham (RC), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
No Religion, so described
2021 count
8,647
% of total
42.3%
Change from 2016
+12.8pp
8,647
42.3%
+12.8pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
2,828
% of total
13.8%
Change from 2016
-3.1pp
2,828
13.8%
-3.1pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
2,355
% of total
11.5%
Change from 2016
-4.3pp
2,355
11.5%
-4.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
1,630
% of total
8.0%
Change from 2016
-2.5pp
1,630
8.0%
-2.5pp
Lutheran
2021 count
1,473
% of total
7.2%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
1,473
7.2%
-1.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,366
% of total
6.7%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
1,366
6.7%
-1.0pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
394
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
394
1.9%
0.0pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
279
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
279
1.4%
0.0pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
261
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
261
1.3%
-0.8pp
Churches of Christ (Conference)
2021 count
225
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
225
1.1%
-0.3pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+2,865
+12.8pp
Western Catholic
-482
-3.1pp
Uniting Church
-745
-4.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-438
-2.5pp
Lutheran
-223
-1.5pp
Not stated
-148
-1.0pp
Christianity, nfd
+27
0.0pp
Pentecostal, nfd
+2
0.0pp
Presbyterian
-149
-0.8pp
Churches of Christ (Conference)
-49
-0.3pp
Data table
Religion for Horsham (RC). 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 | 8,647 | 42.3% | 44.9% | 5,782 | 29.5% | 33.7% | +2,865 | +12.8pp |
| Western Catholic | 2,828 | 13.8% | 19.7% | 3,310 | 16.9% | 22.7% | -482 | -3.1pp |
| Uniting Church | 2,355 | 11.5% | 4.7% | 3,100 | 15.8% | 6.5% | -745 | -4.3pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 1,630 | 8.0% | 9.8% | 2,068 | 10.5% | 13.3% | -438 | -2.5pp |
| Lutheran | 1,473 | 7.2% | 0.7% | 1,696 | 8.7% | 0.9% | -223 | -1.5pp |
| Not stated | 1,366 | 6.7% | 7.7% | 1,514 | 7.7% | 9.8% | -148 | -1.0pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 394 | 1.9% | 2.1% | 367 | 1.9% | 2.1% | +27 | 0.0pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 279 | 1.4% | 0.7% | 277 | 1.4% | 0.7% | +2 | 0.0pp |
| Presbyterian | 261 | 1.3% | 2.2% | 410 | 2.1% | 3.2% | -149 | -0.8pp |
| Churches of Christ (Conference) | 225 | 1.1% | 0.2% | 274 | 1.4% | 0.3% | -49 | -0.3pp |
| Total | 20,419 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 19,604 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +815 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.