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 McLaren Vale, accounting for 52.9% (2,141 people). This share was lower than Onkaparinga (C) (55.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 639 people and 14.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
McLaren Vale - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for McLaren Vale in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Onkaparinga (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for McLaren Vale, with comparison markers for Onkaparinga (C).
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Anglican Church of Australia
Uniting Church
Not stated
Christianity, nfd
Lutheran
Baptist
Presbyterian
Pentecostal, nfd
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+639
+14.2pp
Western Catholic
-40
-1.5pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-201
-5.7pp
Uniting Church
-23
-0.9pp
Not stated
-104
-2.9pp
Christianity, nfd
+9
+0.1pp
Lutheran
-19
-0.6pp
Baptist
-5
-0.2pp
Presbyterian
-12
-0.4pp
Pentecostal, nfd
-4
-0.1pp
Data table
Religion for McLaren Vale. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Onkaparinga (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Onkaparinga (C)% | Count | % | Onkaparinga (C)% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 2,141 | 52.9% | 55.8% | 1,502 | 38.7% | 43.1% | +639 | +14.2pp |
| Western Catholic | 480 | 11.9% | 11.2% | 520 | 13.4% | 13.8% | -40 | -1.5pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 469 | 11.6% | 8.1% | 670 | 17.3% | 11.6% | -201 | -5.7pp |
| Uniting Church | 298 | 7.4% | 4.5% | 321 | 8.3% | 6.5% | -23 | -0.9pp |
| Not stated | 241 | 6.0% | 5.6% | 345 | 8.9% | 8.4% | -104 | -2.9pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 119 | 2.9% | 3.2% | 110 | 2.8% | 3.7% | +9 | +0.1pp |
| Lutheran | 99 | 2.4% | 1.5% | 118 | 3.0% | 1.9% | -19 | -0.6pp |
| Baptist | 34 | 0.8% | 1.6% | 39 | 1.0% | 1.9% | -5 | -0.2pp |
| Presbyterian | 34 | 0.8% | 0.6% | 46 | 1.2% | 0.9% | -12 | -0.4pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 20 | 0.5% | 1.0% | 24 | 0.6% | 1.0% | -4 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 4,045 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,877 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +168 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.