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 Ballan, accounting for 47.3% (1,602 people). This share was higher than Moorabool (S) (45.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 598 people and 13.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Ballan - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Ballan in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Moorabool (S) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Ballan, with comparison markers for Moorabool (S).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
1,602
% of total
47.3%
Change from 2016
+13.6pp
1,602
47.3%
+13.6pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
837
% of total
24.7%
Change from 2016
-4.7pp
837
24.7%
-4.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
385
% of total
11.4%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
385
11.4%
-2.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
157
% of total
4.6%
Change from 2016
-3.9pp
157
4.6%
-3.9pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
107
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
107
3.2%
-1.5pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
58
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
58
1.7%
-0.5pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
52
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
52
1.5%
-1.0pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
34
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
34
1.0%
+0.2pp
Hinduism
2021 count
17
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-
17
0.5%
-
Lutheran
2021 count
15
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
15
0.4%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+598
+13.6pp
Western Catholic
-38
-4.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-15
-2.0pp
Not stated
-97
-3.9pp
Uniting Church
-33
-1.5pp
Christianity, nfd
-8
-0.5pp
Presbyterian
-21
-1.0pp
Greek Orthodox
+11
+0.2pp
Lutheran
+6
+0.1pp
Buddhism
-2
-0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Ballan. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Moorabool (S).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Moorabool (S)% | Count | % | Moorabool (S)% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 1,602 | 47.3% | 45.4% | 1,004 | 33.7% | 35.1% | +598 | +13.6pp |
| Western Catholic | 837 | 24.7% | 24.5% | 875 | 29.4% | 28.5% | -38 | -4.7pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 385 | 11.4% | 9.0% | 400 | 13.4% | 12.2% | -15 | -2.0pp |
| Not stated | 157 | 4.6% | 6.0% | 254 | 8.5% | 8.7% | -97 | -3.9pp |
| Uniting Church | 107 | 3.2% | 2.9% | 140 | 4.7% | 4.3% | -33 | -1.5pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 58 | 1.7% | 2.0% | 66 | 2.2% | 2.0% | -8 | -0.5pp |
| Presbyterian | 52 | 1.5% | 1.4% | 73 | 2.5% | 2.2% | -21 | -1.0pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 34 | 1.0% | 0.9% | 23 | 0.8% | 0.7% | +11 | +0.2pp |
| Hinduism | 17 | 0.5% | 1.0% | - | - | 0.4% | - | - |
| Lutheran | 15 | 0.4% | 0.4% | 9 | 0.3% | 0.6% | +6 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 3,384 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,975 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +409 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.