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 Mitchell (S), accounting for 42.1% (20,831 people). This share was lower than Regional Vic. (44.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 7,784 people and 10.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Mitchell (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Mitchell (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 Mitchell (S), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
No Religion, so described
2021 count
20,831
% of total
42.1%
Change from 2016
+10.2pp
20,831
42.1%
+10.2pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
11,936
% of total
24.2%
Change from 2016
-4.3pp
11,936
24.2%
-4.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
4,484
% of total
9.1%
Change from 2016
-4.6pp
4,484
9.1%
-4.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
3,527
% of total
7.1%
Change from 2016
-2.9pp
3,527
7.1%
-2.9pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
1,134
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
1,134
2.3%
-1.2pp
Sikhism
2021 count
1,059
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
+1.7pp
1,059
2.1%
+1.7pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
954
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
954
1.9%
+0.1pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
836
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
836
1.7%
-1.1pp
Islam
2021 count
801
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
801
1.6%
+0.7pp
Hinduism
2021 count
632
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
632
1.3%
+0.8pp
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+7,784
+10.2pp
Western Catholic
+281
-4.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-1,115
-4.6pp
Not stated
-552
-2.9pp
Uniting Church
-304
-1.2pp
Sikhism
+890
+1.7pp
Christianity, nfd
+221
+0.1pp
Presbyterian
-313
-1.1pp
Islam
+434
+0.7pp
Hinduism
+441
+0.8pp
Data table
Religion for Mitchell (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 | 20,831 | 42.1% | 44.9% | 13,047 | 31.9% | 33.7% | +7,784 | +10.2pp |
| Western Catholic | 11,936 | 24.2% | 19.7% | 11,655 | 28.5% | 22.7% | +281 | -4.3pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 4,484 | 9.1% | 9.8% | 5,599 | 13.7% | 13.3% | -1,115 | -4.6pp |
| Not stated | 3,527 | 7.1% | 7.7% | 4,079 | 10.0% | 9.8% | -552 | -2.9pp |
| Uniting Church | 1,134 | 2.3% | 4.7% | 1,438 | 3.5% | 6.5% | -304 | -1.2pp |
| Sikhism | 1,059 | 2.1% | 0.4% | 169 | 0.4% | 0.2% | +890 | +1.7pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 954 | 1.9% | 2.1% | 733 | 1.8% | 2.1% | +221 | +0.1pp |
| Presbyterian | 836 | 1.7% | 2.2% | 1,149 | 2.8% | 3.2% | -313 | -1.1pp |
| Islam | 801 | 1.6% | 0.9% | 367 | 0.9% | 0.7% | +434 | +0.7pp |
| Hinduism | 632 | 1.3% | 0.7% | 191 | 0.5% | 0.4% | +441 | +0.8pp |
| Total | 49,422 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 40,892 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +8,530 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.