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 Southern Mallee (DC), accounting for 40.4% (792 people). This share was lower than Regional SA (47.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 204 people and 11.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Southern Mallee (DC) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Southern Mallee (DC) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional SA and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Southern Mallee (DC), with comparison markers for Regional SA.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
792
% of total
40.4%
Change from 2016
+11.3pp
792
40.4%
+11.3pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
281
% of total
14.3%
Change from 2016
-6.7pp
281
14.3%
-6.7pp
Lutheran
2021 count
208
% of total
10.6%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
208
10.6%
-1.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
205
% of total
10.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
205
10.5%
0.0pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
148
% of total
7.6%
Change from 2016
-2.5pp
148
7.6%
-2.5pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
125
% of total
6.4%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
125
6.4%
-1.0pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
67
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
67
3.4%
+0.8pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
50
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
50
2.6%
+1.5pp
Islam
2021 count
20
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
20
1.0%
+0.5pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
11
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
11
0.6%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+204
+11.3pp
Uniting Church
-144
-6.7pp
Lutheran
-29
-1.1pp
Not stated
-7
0.0pp
Western Catholic
-57
-2.5pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-24
-1.0pp
Christianity, nfd
+15
+0.8pp
Pentecostal, nfd
+27
+1.5pp
Islam
+9
+0.5pp
Presbyterian
-6
-0.2pp
Data table
Religion for Southern Mallee (DC). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional SA.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional SA% | Count | % | Regional SA% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 792 | 40.4% | 47.5% | 588 | 29.1% | 35.0% | +204 | +11.3pp |
| Uniting Church | 281 | 14.3% | 7.7% | 425 | 21.0% | 11.4% | -144 | -6.7pp |
| Lutheran | 208 | 10.6% | 5.3% | 237 | 11.7% | 6.5% | -29 | -1.1pp |
| Not stated | 205 | 10.5% | 8.9% | 212 | 10.5% | 9.8% | -7 | 0.0pp |
| Western Catholic | 148 | 7.6% | 11.7% | 205 | 10.1% | 14.5% | -57 | -2.5pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 125 | 6.4% | 7.8% | 149 | 7.4% | 10.7% | -24 | -1.0pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 67 | 3.4% | 2.5% | 52 | 2.6% | 2.7% | +15 | +0.8pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 50 | 2.6% | 1.0% | 23 | 1.1% | 1.0% | +27 | +1.5pp |
| Islam | 20 | 1.0% | 0.4% | 11 | 0.5% | 0.4% | +9 | +0.5pp |
| Presbyterian | 11 | 0.6% | 1.1% | 17 | 0.8% | 1.7% | -6 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 1,959 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,023 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -64 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.