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 McLaren Flat, accounting for 57.7% (941 people). This share was higher than Onkaparinga (C) (55.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 227 people and 10.6 percentage points.

Section overview

Religion - Ranked by size

McLaren Flat - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises religion for McLaren Flat in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Onkaparinga (C) and change since 2016.

Religion - Ranked by size snapshot

2021 distribution by category for McLaren Flat, with comparison markers for Onkaparinga (C).

McLaren Flat
Onkaparinga (C)

No Religion, so described

2021 count

941

% of total

57.7%

Change from 2016

+10.6pp

Western Catholic

2021 count

166

% of total

10.2%

Change from 2016

-4.2pp

Anglican Church of Australia

2021 count

160

% of total

9.8%

Change from 2016

-3.3pp

Not stated

2021 count

115

% of total

7.1%

Change from 2016

-0.2pp

Uniting Church

2021 count

78

% of total

4.8%

Change from 2016

-2.5pp

Christianity, nfd

2021 count

52

% of total

3.2%

Change from 2016

-1.5pp

Lutheran

2021 count

32

% of total

2.0%

Change from 2016

-0.7pp

Baptist

2021 count

15

% of total

0.9%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Buddhism

2021 count

13

% of total

0.8%

Change from 2016

+0.3pp

Pentecostal, nfd

2021 count

13

% of total

0.8%

Change from 2016

+0.5pp

Data table

Religion for McLaren Flat. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Onkaparinga (C).

Religion for McLaren Flat. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Onkaparinga (C).
Religion for McLaren Flat. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Onkaparinga (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Onkaparinga (C)%Count%Onkaparinga (C)%Countpp
No Religion, so described94157.7%55.8%71447.1%43.1%+227+10.6pp
Western Catholic16610.2%11.2%21814.4%13.8%-52-4.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia1609.8%8.1%19913.1%11.6%-39-3.3pp
Not stated1157.1%5.6%1107.3%8.4%+5-0.2pp
Uniting Church784.8%4.5%1117.3%6.5%-33-2.5pp
Christianity, nfd523.2%3.2%724.7%3.7%-20-1.5pp
Lutheran322.0%1.5%412.7%1.9%-9-0.7pp
Baptist150.9%1.6%140.9%1.9%+10.0pp
Buddhism130.8%0.7%80.5%0.9%+5+0.3pp
Pentecostal, nfd130.8%1.0%50.3%1.0%+8+0.5pp
Total1,630100.0%100.0%1,517100.0%100.0%+1130.0pp

Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.