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 Merrimu, accounting for 34.5% (142 people). This share was lower than Moorabool (S) (45.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 31 people and 4.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Merrimu - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Merrimu in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Moorabool (S) and change since 2016.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Merrimu, with comparison markers for Moorabool (S).
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Anglican Church of Australia
Not stated
Christianity, nfd
Presbyterian
Revival Centres
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+31
+4.3pp
Western Catholic
-3
-4.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-21
-6.8pp
Not stated
+9
+1.5pp
Christianity, nfd
+5
+1.0pp
Presbyterian
+6
+1.3pp
Data table
Religion for Merrimu. 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 | 142 | 34.5% | 45.4% | 111 | 30.2% | 35.1% | +31 | +4.3pp |
| Western Catholic | 131 | 31.9% | 24.5% | 134 | 36.5% | 28.5% | -3 | -4.6pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 39 | 9.5% | 9.0% | 60 | 16.3% | 12.2% | -21 | -6.8pp |
| Not stated | 31 | 7.5% | 6.0% | 22 | 6.0% | 8.7% | +9 | +1.5pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 13 | 3.2% | 2.0% | 8 | 2.2% | 2.0% | +5 | +1.0pp |
| Presbyterian | 12 | 2.9% | 1.4% | 6 | 1.6% | 2.2% | +6 | +1.3pp |
| Revival Centres | 10 | 2.4% | 0.0% | - | - | - | - | - |
| Total | 411 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 367 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +44 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.