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 Midlands (M), accounting for 43.1% (2,874 people). This share was lower than Regional Tas. (49.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 983 people and 11.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Southern Midlands (M) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Southern Midlands (M) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Tas. and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Southern Midlands (M), with comparison markers for Regional Tas..
No Religion, so described
2021 count
2,874
% of total
43.1%
Change from 2016
+11.8pp
2,874
43.1%
+11.8pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
1,617
% of total
24.3%
Change from 2016
-8.6pp
1,617
24.3%
-8.6pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
1,008
% of total
15.1%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
1,008
15.1%
-1.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
636
% of total
9.5%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
636
9.5%
-0.2pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
206
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
206
3.1%
-0.6pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
65
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
65
1.0%
-0.4pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
62
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
62
0.9%
-0.4pp
Buddhism
2021 count
30
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
30
0.5%
+0.2pp
Baptist
2021 count
25
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
25
0.4%
-0.1pp
Inadequately described
2021 count
22
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
22
0.3%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+983
+11.8pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-370
-8.6pp
Western Catholic
-4
-1.6pp
Not stated
+48
-0.2pp
Uniting Church
-18
-0.6pp
Christianity, nfd
-19
-0.4pp
Presbyterian
-19
-0.4pp
Buddhism
+12
+0.2pp
Baptist
-5
-0.1pp
Inadequately described
0
-0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Southern Midlands (M). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Tas..
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Tas.% | Count | % | Regional Tas.% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 2,874 | 43.1% | 49.3% | 1,891 | 31.3% | 36.1% | +983 | +11.8pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 1,617 | 24.3% | 14.7% | 1,987 | 32.9% | 20.8% | -370 | -8.6pp |
| Western Catholic | 1,008 | 15.1% | 11.7% | 1,012 | 16.7% | 14.5% | -4 | -1.6pp |
| Not stated | 636 | 9.5% | 7.3% | 588 | 9.7% | 9.5% | +48 | -0.2pp |
| Uniting Church | 206 | 3.1% | 3.3% | 224 | 3.7% | 4.8% | -18 | -0.6pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 65 | 1.0% | 2.9% | 84 | 1.4% | 3.0% | -19 | -0.4pp |
| Presbyterian | 62 | 0.9% | 1.5% | 81 | 1.3% | 2.1% | -19 | -0.4pp |
| Buddhism | 30 | 0.5% | 0.8% | 18 | 0.3% | 0.7% | +12 | +0.2pp |
| Baptist | 25 | 0.4% | 1.6% | 30 | 0.5% | 2.0% | -5 | -0.1pp |
| Inadequately described | 22 | 0.3% | 0.4% | 22 | 0.4% | 0.5% | 0 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 6,664 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,043 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +621 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.