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 Playford (C), accounting for 50.4% (49,984 people). This share was higher than Greater Adelaide (44.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 14,542 people and 10.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Playford (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Playford (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Adelaide and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Playford (C), with comparison markers for Greater Adelaide.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
49,984
% of total
50.4%
Change from 2016
+10.7pp
49,984
50.4%
+10.7pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
11,564
% of total
11.7%
Change from 2016
-3.2pp
11,564
11.7%
-3.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
7,194
% of total
7.3%
Change from 2016
-4.3pp
7,194
7.3%
-4.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
6,978
% of total
7.0%
Change from 2016
-2.5pp
6,978
7.0%
-2.5pp
Islam
2021 count
3,691
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
3,691
3.7%
+1.5pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
3,634
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
3,634
3.7%
+0.4pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
2,892
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
2,892
2.9%
-1.9pp
Buddhism
2021 count
1,764
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
1,764
1.8%
+0.1pp
Baptist
2021 count
1,692
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
1,692
1.7%
+0.1pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
1,613
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
1,613
1.6%
0.0pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+14,542
+10.7pp
Western Catholic
-1,757
-3.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-3,182
-4.3pp
Not stated
-1,524
-2.5pp
Islam
+1,697
+1.5pp
Christianity, nfd
+701
+0.4pp
Uniting Church
-1,433
-1.9pp
Buddhism
+229
+0.1pp
Baptist
+266
+0.1pp
Pentecostal, nfd
+208
0.0pp
Data table
Religion for Playford (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 | 49,984 | 50.4% | 44.6% | 35,442 | 39.7% | 35.6% | +14,542 | +10.7pp |
| Western Catholic | 11,564 | 11.7% | 16.4% | 13,321 | 14.9% | 18.9% | -1,757 | -3.2pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 7,194 | 7.3% | 7.0% | 10,376 | 11.6% | 9.8% | -3,182 | -4.3pp |
| Not stated | 6,978 | 7.0% | 5.2% | 8,502 | 9.5% | 8.0% | -1,524 | -2.5pp |
| Islam | 3,691 | 3.7% | 2.8% | 1,994 | 2.2% | 2.1% | +1,697 | +1.5pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 3,634 | 3.7% | 2.7% | 2,933 | 3.3% | 2.8% | +701 | +0.4pp |
| Uniting Church | 2,892 | 2.9% | 3.9% | 4,325 | 4.8% | 5.8% | -1,433 | -1.9pp |
| Buddhism | 1,764 | 1.8% | 2.3% | 1,535 | 1.7% | 2.2% | +229 | +0.1pp |
| Baptist | 1,692 | 1.7% | 1.6% | 1,426 | 1.6% | 1.7% | +266 | +0.1pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 1,613 | 1.6% | 1.1% | 1,405 | 1.6% | 1.0% | +208 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 99,213 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 89,306 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +9,907 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.