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
2021 count
97,836
% of total
55.8%
Change from 2016
+12.7pp
97,836
55.8%
+12.7pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
19,696
% of total
11.2%
Change from 2016
-2.6pp
19,696
11.2%
-2.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
14,123
% of total
8.1%
Change from 2016
-3.5pp
14,123
8.1%
-3.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
9,865
% of total
5.6%
Change from 2016
-2.8pp
9,865
5.6%
-2.8pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
7,804
% of total
4.5%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
7,804
4.5%
-2.0pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
5,604
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
5,604
3.2%
-0.5pp
Baptist
2021 count
2,755
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
2,755
1.6%
-0.3pp
Lutheran
2021 count
2,602
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
2,602
1.5%
-0.4pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
1,815
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
1,815
1.0%
0.0pp
Buddhism
2021 count
1,279
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
1,279
0.7%
-0.2pp
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.