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 Rutherglen, accounting for 42.1% (1,090 people). This share was lower than Indigo (S) (47.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 451 people and 15.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Rutherglen - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Rutherglen in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Indigo (S) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Rutherglen, with comparison markers for Indigo (S).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
1,090
% of total
42.1%
Change from 2016
+15.2pp
1,090
42.1%
+15.2pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
577
% of total
22.3%
Change from 2016
-3.8pp
577
22.3%
-3.8pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
432
% of total
16.7%
Change from 2016
-6.0pp
432
16.7%
-6.0pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
132
% of total
5.1%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
132
5.1%
-2.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
127
% of total
4.9%
Change from 2016
-2.4pp
127
4.9%
-2.4pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
74
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
74
2.9%
-0.1pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
32
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
32
1.2%
-0.8pp
Lutheran
2021 count
22
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
22
0.9%
-0.2pp
Inadequately described
2021 count
11
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
11
0.4%
+0.1pp
Buddhism
2021 count
11
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
11
0.4%
-0.3pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+451
+15.2pp
Western Catholic
-44
-3.8pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-108
-6.0pp
Uniting Church
-42
-2.2pp
Not stated
-46
-2.4pp
Presbyterian
+2
-0.1pp
Christianity, nfd
-15
-0.8pp
Lutheran
-3
-0.2pp
Inadequately described
+3
+0.1pp
Buddhism
-6
-0.3pp
Data table
Religion for Rutherglen. 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 | 1,090 | 42.1% | 47.2% | 639 | 26.9% | 33.1% | +451 | +15.2pp |
| Western Catholic | 577 | 22.3% | 17.5% | 621 | 26.1% | 20.7% | -44 | -3.8pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 432 | 16.7% | 13.4% | 540 | 22.7% | 18.6% | -108 | -6.0pp |
| Uniting Church | 132 | 5.1% | 4.3% | 174 | 7.3% | 6.4% | -42 | -2.2pp |
| Not stated | 127 | 4.9% | 8.0% | 173 | 7.3% | 9.3% | -46 | -2.4pp |
| Presbyterian | 74 | 2.9% | 2.2% | 72 | 3.0% | 3.1% | +2 | -0.1pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 32 | 1.2% | 2.3% | 47 | 2.0% | 2.6% | -15 | -0.8pp |
| Lutheran | 22 | 0.9% | 0.7% | 25 | 1.1% | 1.1% | -3 | -0.2pp |
| Inadequately described | 11 | 0.4% | 0.5% | 8 | 0.3% | 0.3% | +3 | +0.1pp |
| Buddhism | 11 | 0.4% | 0.4% | 17 | 0.7% | 0.7% | -6 | -0.3pp |
| Total | 2,588 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,378 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +210 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.