Cultural diversity
Religion
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.
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.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Rutherglen, with comparison markers for Indigo (S).
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Anglican Church of Australia
Uniting Church
Not stated
Presbyterian
Christianity, nfd
Lutheran
Inadequately described
Buddhism
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.