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 Macedon Ranges (S), accounting for 48.9% (25,182 people). This share was higher than Regional Vic. (44.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 8,129 people and 11.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Macedon Ranges (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Macedon Ranges (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Vic. and change since 2016.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Macedon Ranges (S), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
No Religion, so described
2021 count
25,182
% of total
48.9%
Change from 2016
+11.9pp
25,182
48.9%
+11.9pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
11,463
% of total
22.3%
Change from 2016
-3.2pp
11,463
22.3%
-3.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
4,980
% of total
9.7%
Change from 2016
-3.6pp
4,980
9.7%
-3.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
3,304
% of total
6.4%
Change from 2016
-2.8pp
3,304
6.4%
-2.8pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
1,743
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
1,743
3.4%
-1.3pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
840
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
840
1.6%
-0.1pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
811
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
811
1.6%
-0.7pp
Baptist
2021 count
386
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
386
0.8%
-0.2pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
301
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
301
0.6%
0.0pp
Buddhism
2021 count
300
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
300
0.6%
0.0pp
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+8,129
+11.9pp
Western Catholic
-271
-3.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-1,152
-3.6pp
Not stated
-949
-2.8pp
Uniting Church
-411
-1.3pp
Christianity, nfd
+44
-0.1pp
Presbyterian
-253
-0.7pp
Baptist
-70
-0.2pp
Greek Orthodox
+46
0.0pp
Buddhism
+7
0.0pp
Data table
Religion for Macedon Ranges (S). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Vic..
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Vic.% | Count | % | Regional Vic.% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 25,182 | 48.9% | 44.9% | 17,053 | 37.0% | 33.7% | +8,129 | +11.9pp |
| Western Catholic | 11,463 | 22.3% | 19.7% | 11,734 | 25.5% | 22.7% | -271 | -3.2pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 4,980 | 9.7% | 9.8% | 6,132 | 13.3% | 13.3% | -1,152 | -3.6pp |
| Not stated | 3,304 | 6.4% | 7.7% | 4,253 | 9.2% | 9.8% | -949 | -2.8pp |
| Uniting Church | 1,743 | 3.4% | 4.7% | 2,154 | 4.7% | 6.5% | -411 | -1.3pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 840 | 1.6% | 2.1% | 796 | 1.7% | 2.1% | +44 | -0.1pp |
| Presbyterian | 811 | 1.6% | 2.2% | 1,064 | 2.3% | 3.2% | -253 | -0.7pp |
| Baptist | 386 | 0.8% | 1.2% | 456 | 1.0% | 1.3% | -70 | -0.2pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 301 | 0.6% | 0.5% | 255 | 0.6% | 0.5% | +46 | 0.0pp |
| Buddhism | 300 | 0.6% | 0.9% | 293 | 0.6% | 0.8% | +7 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 51,460 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 46,087 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +5,373 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.