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 Surf Coast (S), accounting for 53% (19,972 people). This share was higher than Regional Vic. (44.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 7,489 people and 10.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Surf Coast (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Surf Coast (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Vic. and change since 2016.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Surf Coast (S), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
No Religion, so described
2021 count
19,972
% of total
53.0%
Change from 2016
+10.5pp
19,972
53.0%
+10.5pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
7,091
% of total
18.8%
Change from 2016
-2.3pp
7,091
18.8%
-2.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
3,159
% of total
8.4%
Change from 2016
-3.0pp
3,159
8.4%
-3.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
2,480
% of total
6.6%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
2,480
6.6%
-1.9pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
1,521
% of total
4.0%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
1,521
4.0%
-1.7pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
649
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
649
1.7%
0.0pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
598
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
598
1.6%
-0.7pp
Baptist
2021 count
517
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
517
1.4%
-0.3pp
Buddhism
2021 count
245
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
245
0.6%
0.0pp
Lutheran
2021 count
199
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
199
0.5%
-0.2pp
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+7,489
+10.5pp
Western Catholic
+882
-2.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-195
-3.0pp
Not stated
-12
-1.9pp
Uniting Church
-166
-1.7pp
Christianity, nfd
+143
0.0pp
Presbyterian
-76
-0.7pp
Baptist
+23
-0.3pp
Buddhism
+63
0.0pp
Lutheran
-8
-0.2pp
Data table
Religion for Surf Coast (S). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Vic..
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Vic.% | Count | % | Regional Vic.% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 19,972 | 53.0% | 44.9% | 12,483 | 42.5% | 33.7% | +7,489 | +10.5pp |
| Western Catholic | 7,091 | 18.8% | 19.7% | 6,209 | 21.1% | 22.7% | +882 | -2.3pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 3,159 | 8.4% | 9.8% | 3,354 | 11.4% | 13.3% | -195 | -3.0pp |
| Not stated | 2,480 | 6.6% | 7.7% | 2,492 | 8.5% | 9.8% | -12 | -1.9pp |
| Uniting Church | 1,521 | 4.0% | 4.7% | 1,687 | 5.7% | 6.5% | -166 | -1.7pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 649 | 1.7% | 2.1% | 506 | 1.7% | 2.1% | +143 | 0.0pp |
| Presbyterian | 598 | 1.6% | 2.2% | 674 | 2.3% | 3.2% | -76 | -0.7pp |
| Baptist | 517 | 1.4% | 1.2% | 494 | 1.7% | 1.3% | +23 | -0.3pp |
| Buddhism | 245 | 0.6% | 0.9% | 182 | 0.6% | 0.8% | +63 | 0.0pp |
| Lutheran | 199 | 0.5% | 0.7% | 207 | 0.7% | 0.9% | -8 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 37,714 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 29,364 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +8,350 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.