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 Onkaparinga (C), accounting for 55.8% (97,836 people). This share was higher than Greater Adelaide (44.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 25,919 people and 12.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Onkaparinga (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Onkaparinga (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Adelaide and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Onkaparinga (C), with comparison markers for Greater Adelaide.
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Anglican Church of Australia
Not stated
Uniting Church
Christianity, nfd
Baptist
Lutheran
Pentecostal, nfd
Buddhism
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+25,919
+12.7pp
Western Catholic
-3,391
-2.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-5,253
-3.5pp
Not stated
-4,120
-2.8pp
Uniting Church
-3,085
-2.0pp
Christianity, nfd
-586
-0.5pp
Baptist
-355
-0.3pp
Lutheran
-602
-0.4pp
Pentecostal, nfd
+193
0.0pp
Buddhism
-140
-0.2pp
Data table
Religion for Onkaparinga (C). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Adelaide.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Adelaide% | Count | % | Greater Adelaide% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 97,836 | 55.8% | 44.6% | 71,917 | 43.1% | 35.6% | +25,919 | +12.7pp |
| Western Catholic | 19,696 | 11.2% | 16.4% | 23,087 | 13.8% | 18.9% | -3,391 | -2.6pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 14,123 | 8.1% | 7.0% | 19,376 | 11.6% | 9.8% | -5,253 | -3.5pp |
| Not stated | 9,865 | 5.6% | 5.2% | 13,985 | 8.4% | 8.0% | -4,120 | -2.8pp |
| Uniting Church | 7,804 | 4.5% | 3.9% | 10,889 | 6.5% | 5.8% | -3,085 | -2.0pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 5,604 | 3.2% | 2.7% | 6,190 | 3.7% | 2.8% | -586 | -0.5pp |
| Baptist | 2,755 | 1.6% | 1.6% | 3,110 | 1.9% | 1.7% | -355 | -0.3pp |
| Lutheran | 2,602 | 1.5% | 1.6% | 3,204 | 1.9% | 2.1% | -602 | -0.4pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 1,815 | 1.0% | 1.1% | 1,622 | 1.0% | 1.0% | +193 | 0.0pp |
| Buddhism | 1,279 | 0.7% | 2.3% | 1,419 | 0.9% | 2.2% | -140 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 175,222 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 166,770 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +8,452 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.