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 Light (RegC), accounting for 50.9% (8,023 people). This share was higher than Regional SA (47.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 2,590 people and 14 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Light (RegC) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Light (RegC) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional SA and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Light (RegC), with comparison markers for Regional SA.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
8,023
% of total
50.9%
Change from 2016
+14.0pp
8,023
50.9%
+14.0pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
1,838
% of total
11.7%
Change from 2016
-2.4pp
1,838
11.7%
-2.4pp
Lutheran
2021 count
1,578
% of total
10.0%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
1,578
10.0%
-1.8pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
1,329
% of total
8.4%
Change from 2016
-3.5pp
1,329
8.4%
-3.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
937
% of total
5.9%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
937
5.9%
-1.8pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
790
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
-3.0pp
790
5.0%
-3.0pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
422
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
422
2.7%
-0.2pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
137
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
137
0.9%
0.0pp
Baptist
2021 count
109
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
109
0.7%
-0.5pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
85
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
85
0.5%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+2,590
+14.0pp
Western Catholic
-241
-2.4pp
Lutheran
-164
-1.8pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-420
-3.5pp
Not stated
-199
-1.8pp
Uniting Church
-391
-3.0pp
Christianity, nfd
-10
-0.2pp
Pentecostal, nfd
+4
0.0pp
Baptist
-61
-0.5pp
Presbyterian
-25
-0.2pp
Data table
Religion for Light (RegC). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional SA.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional SA% | Count | % | Regional SA% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 8,023 | 50.9% | 47.5% | 5,433 | 36.9% | 35.0% | +2,590 | +14.0pp |
| Western Catholic | 1,838 | 11.7% | 11.7% | 2,079 | 14.1% | 14.5% | -241 | -2.4pp |
| Lutheran | 1,578 | 10.0% | 5.3% | 1,742 | 11.8% | 6.5% | -164 | -1.8pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 1,329 | 8.4% | 7.8% | 1,749 | 11.9% | 10.7% | -420 | -3.5pp |
| Not stated | 937 | 5.9% | 8.9% | 1,136 | 7.7% | 9.8% | -199 | -1.8pp |
| Uniting Church | 790 | 5.0% | 7.7% | 1,181 | 8.0% | 11.4% | -391 | -3.0pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 422 | 2.7% | 2.5% | 432 | 2.9% | 2.7% | -10 | -0.2pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 137 | 0.9% | 1.0% | 133 | 0.9% | 1.0% | +4 | 0.0pp |
| Baptist | 109 | 0.7% | 1.1% | 170 | 1.2% | 1.2% | -61 | -0.5pp |
| Presbyterian | 85 | 0.5% | 1.1% | 110 | 0.7% | 1.7% | -25 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 15,772 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 14,731 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,041 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.