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 Swan Hill (RC), accounting for 35.9% (7,668 people). This share was lower than Regional Vic. (44.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 2,198 people and 9.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Swan Hill (RC) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Swan Hill (RC) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Vic. and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Swan Hill (RC), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
No Religion, so described
2021 count
7,668
% of total
35.9%
Change from 2016
+9.3pp
7,668
35.9%
+9.3pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
4,672
% of total
21.9%
Change from 2016
-2.4pp
4,672
21.9%
-2.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
2,010
% of total
9.4%
Change from 2016
-3.9pp
2,010
9.4%
-3.9pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
1,849
% of total
8.6%
Change from 2016
-2.9pp
1,849
8.6%
-2.9pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
1,298
% of total
6.1%
Change from 2016
-2.4pp
1,298
6.1%
-2.4pp
Buddhism
2021 count
738
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
738
3.5%
+1.5pp
Islam
2021 count
635
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
635
3.0%
+1.4pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
584
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
584
2.7%
+0.8pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
436
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
436
2.0%
-0.9pp
Sikhism
2021 count
192
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
192
0.9%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+2,198
+9.3pp
Western Catholic
-319
-2.4pp
Not stated
-718
-3.9pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-519
-2.9pp
Uniting Church
-451
-2.4pp
Buddhism
+321
+1.5pp
Islam
+307
+1.4pp
Christianity, nfd
+195
+0.8pp
Presbyterian
-168
-0.9pp
Sikhism
+22
+0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Swan Hill (RC). 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 | 7,668 | 35.9% | 44.9% | 5,470 | 26.6% | 33.7% | +2,198 | +9.3pp |
| Western Catholic | 4,672 | 21.9% | 19.7% | 4,991 | 24.3% | 22.7% | -319 | -2.4pp |
| Not stated | 2,010 | 9.4% | 7.7% | 2,728 | 13.3% | 9.8% | -718 | -3.9pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 1,849 | 8.6% | 9.8% | 2,368 | 11.5% | 13.3% | -519 | -2.9pp |
| Uniting Church | 1,298 | 6.1% | 4.7% | 1,749 | 8.5% | 6.5% | -451 | -2.4pp |
| Buddhism | 738 | 3.5% | 0.9% | 417 | 2.0% | 0.8% | +321 | +1.5pp |
| Islam | 635 | 3.0% | 0.9% | 328 | 1.6% | 0.7% | +307 | +1.4pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 584 | 2.7% | 2.1% | 389 | 1.9% | 2.1% | +195 | +0.8pp |
| Presbyterian | 436 | 2.0% | 2.2% | 604 | 2.9% | 3.2% | -168 | -0.9pp |
| Sikhism | 192 | 0.9% | 0.4% | 170 | 0.8% | 0.2% | +22 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 21,381 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 20,550 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +831 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.