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 Northern Grampians (S), accounting for 43.7% (5,232 people). This share was lower than Regional Vic. (44.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 1,465 people and 10.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Northern Grampians (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Northern Grampians (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Vic. and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Northern Grampians (S), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
No Religion, so described
2021 count
5,232
% of total
43.7%
Change from 2016
+10.7pp
5,232
43.7%
+10.7pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
1,902
% of total
15.9%
Change from 2016
-2.6pp
1,902
15.9%
-2.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,229
% of total
10.3%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
1,229
10.3%
+0.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
1,208
% of total
10.1%
Change from 2016
-3.7pp
1,208
10.1%
-3.7pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
1,148
% of total
9.6%
Change from 2016
-4.1pp
1,148
9.6%
-4.1pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
217
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
217
1.8%
-1.0pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
186
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
186
1.6%
+0.2pp
Lutheran
2021 count
92
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
92
0.8%
-0.4pp
Baptist
2021 count
90
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
90
0.8%
-0.4pp
Buddhism
2021 count
65
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
65
0.5%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+1,465
+10.7pp
Western Catholic
-213
-2.6pp
Not stated
+132
+0.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-362
-3.7pp
Uniting Church
-416
-4.1pp
Presbyterian
-105
-1.0pp
Christianity, nfd
+24
+0.2pp
Lutheran
-45
-0.4pp
Baptist
-48
-0.4pp
Buddhism
-4
-0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Northern Grampians (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 | 5,232 | 43.7% | 44.9% | 3,767 | 33.0% | 33.7% | +1,465 | +10.7pp |
| Western Catholic | 1,902 | 15.9% | 19.7% | 2,115 | 18.5% | 22.7% | -213 | -2.6pp |
| Not stated | 1,229 | 10.3% | 7.7% | 1,097 | 9.6% | 9.8% | +132 | +0.7pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 1,208 | 10.1% | 9.8% | 1,570 | 13.8% | 13.3% | -362 | -3.7pp |
| Uniting Church | 1,148 | 9.6% | 4.7% | 1,564 | 13.7% | 6.5% | -416 | -4.1pp |
| Presbyterian | 217 | 1.8% | 2.2% | 322 | 2.8% | 3.2% | -105 | -1.0pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 186 | 1.6% | 2.1% | 162 | 1.4% | 2.1% | +24 | +0.2pp |
| Lutheran | 92 | 0.8% | 0.7% | 137 | 1.2% | 0.9% | -45 | -0.4pp |
| Baptist | 90 | 0.8% | 1.2% | 138 | 1.2% | 1.3% | -48 | -0.4pp |
| Buddhism | 65 | 0.5% | 0.9% | 69 | 0.6% | 0.8% | -4 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 11,966 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 11,405 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +561 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.