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 Edinburgh, accounting for 55% (208 people). This share was higher than Salisbury (C) (37.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 85 people and 7.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Edinburgh - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Edinburgh in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Salisbury (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Edinburgh, with comparison markers for Salisbury (C).
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Anglican Church of Australia
Not stated
Christianity, nfd
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+85
+7.9pp
Western Catholic
+21
+0.1pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-5
-4.5pp
Not stated
-22
-10.9pp
Christianity, nfd
+5
+0.7pp
Data table
Religion for Edinburgh. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Salisbury (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Salisbury (C)% | Count | % | Salisbury (C)% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 208 | 55.0% | 37.4% | 123 | 47.1% | 31.4% | +85 | +7.9pp |
| Western Catholic | 67 | 17.7% | 15.8% | 46 | 17.6% | 19.2% | +21 | +0.1pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 22 | 5.8% | 5.6% | 27 | 10.3% | 8.9% | -5 | -4.5pp |
| Not stated | 21 | 5.6% | 5.4% | 43 | 16.5% | 7.4% | -22 | -10.9pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 10 | 2.6% | 3.1% | 5 | 1.9% | 2.9% | +5 | +0.7pp |
| Total | 378 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 261 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +117 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.