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 Beechworth, accounting for 53.4% (2,274 people). This share was higher than Indigo (S) (47.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 741 people and 13.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Beechworth - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Beechworth in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Indigo (S) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Beechworth, with comparison markers for Indigo (S).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
2,274
% of total
53.4%
Change from 2016
+13.7pp
2,274
53.4%
+13.7pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
645
% of total
15.1%
Change from 2016
-3.7pp
645
15.1%
-3.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
431
% of total
10.1%
Change from 2016
-2.4pp
431
10.1%
-2.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
423
% of total
9.9%
Change from 2016
-4.2pp
423
9.9%
-4.2pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
149
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
149
3.5%
-1.8pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
84
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
84
2.0%
-0.1pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
62
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
62
1.5%
-0.1pp
Inadequately described
2021 count
31
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
31
0.7%
+0.4pp
Baptist
2021 count
31
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
31
0.7%
+0.1pp
Buddhism
2021 count
22
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
22
0.5%
-0.3pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+741
+13.7pp
Western Catholic
-82
-3.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-53
-2.4pp
Not stated
-122
-4.2pp
Uniting Church
-56
-1.8pp
Christianity, nfd
+4
-0.1pp
Presbyterian
+2
-0.1pp
Inadequately described
+18
+0.4pp
Baptist
+7
+0.1pp
Buddhism
-10
-0.3pp
Data table
Religion for Beechworth. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Indigo (S).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Indigo (S)% | Count | % | Indigo (S)% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 2,274 | 53.4% | 47.2% | 1,533 | 39.7% | 33.1% | +741 | +13.7pp |
| Western Catholic | 645 | 15.1% | 17.5% | 727 | 18.8% | 20.7% | -82 | -3.7pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 431 | 10.1% | 13.4% | 484 | 12.5% | 18.6% | -53 | -2.4pp |
| Not stated | 423 | 9.9% | 8.0% | 545 | 14.1% | 9.3% | -122 | -4.2pp |
| Uniting Church | 149 | 3.5% | 4.3% | 205 | 5.3% | 6.4% | -56 | -1.8pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 84 | 2.0% | 2.3% | 80 | 2.1% | 2.6% | +4 | -0.1pp |
| Presbyterian | 62 | 1.5% | 2.2% | 60 | 1.6% | 3.1% | +2 | -0.1pp |
| Inadequately described | 31 | 0.7% | 0.5% | 13 | 0.3% | 0.3% | +18 | +0.4pp |
| Baptist | 31 | 0.7% | 0.9% | 24 | 0.6% | 1.3% | +7 | +0.1pp |
| Buddhism | 22 | 0.5% | 0.4% | 32 | 0.8% | 0.7% | -10 | -0.3pp |
| Total | 4,258 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,861 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +397 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.