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 1,067 people and 3.1 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
+3.1pp
1,090
42.1%
+3.1pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
577
% of total
22.3%
Change from 2016
+5.4pp
577
22.3%
+5.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
432
% of total
16.7%
Change from 2016
-
432
16.7%
-
Uniting Church
2021 count
132
% of total
5.1%
Change from 2016
-11.8pp
132
5.1%
-11.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
127
% of total
4.9%
Change from 2016
-10.4pp
127
4.9%
-10.4pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
74
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
-9.0pp
74
2.9%
-9.0pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
32
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-
32
1.2%
-
Lutheran
2021 count
22
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-
22
0.9%
-
Inadequately described
2021 count
11
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-
11
0.4%
-
Buddhism
2021 count
11
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-
11
0.4%
-
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+1,067
+3.1pp
Western Catholic
+567
+5.4pp
Uniting Church
+122
-11.8pp
Not stated
+118
-10.4pp
Presbyterian
+67
-9.0pp
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% | 23 | 39.0% | 33.1% | +1,067 | +3.1pp |
| Western Catholic | 577 | 22.3% | 17.5% | 10 | 16.9% | 20.7% | +567 | +5.4pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 432 | 16.7% | 13.4% | - | - | 18.6% | - | - |
| Uniting Church | 132 | 5.1% | 4.3% | 10 | 16.9% | 6.4% | +122 | -11.8pp |
| Not stated | 127 | 4.9% | 8.0% | 9 | 15.3% | 9.3% | +118 | -10.4pp |
| Presbyterian | 74 | 2.9% | 2.2% | 7 | 11.9% | 3.1% | +67 | -9.0pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 32 | 1.2% | 2.3% | - | - | 2.6% | - | - |
| Lutheran | 22 | 0.9% | 0.7% | - | - | 1.1% | - | - |
| Inadequately described | 11 | 0.4% | 0.5% | - | - | 0.3% | - | - |
| Buddhism | 11 | 0.4% | 0.4% | - | - | 0.7% | - | - |
| Total | 2,588 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 59 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,529 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.