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 Towong (S), accounting for 38.7% (2,402 people). This share was lower than Regional Vic. (44.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 681 people and 10 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Towong (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Towong (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Vic. and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Towong (S), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
No Religion, so described
2021 count
2,402
% of total
38.7%
Change from 2016
+10.0pp
2,402
38.7%
+10.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
1,140
% of total
18.4%
Change from 2016
-4.2pp
1,140
18.4%
-4.2pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
960
% of total
15.5%
Change from 2016
-2.7pp
960
15.5%
-2.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
663
% of total
10.7%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
663
10.7%
+0.2pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
359
% of total
5.8%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
359
5.8%
-1.6pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
164
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
164
2.6%
-0.9pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
119
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
119
1.9%
-0.9pp
Baptist
2021 count
93
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
93
1.5%
-0.6pp
Jehovah's Witnesses
2021 count
49
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
49
0.8%
+0.2pp
Lutheran
2021 count
43
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
43
0.7%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+681
+10.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-213
-4.2pp
Western Catholic
-131
-2.7pp
Not stated
+37
+0.2pp
Uniting Church
-87
-1.6pp
Presbyterian
-44
-0.9pp
Christianity, nfd
-49
-0.9pp
Baptist
-31
-0.6pp
Jehovah's Witnesses
+13
+0.2pp
Lutheran
-7
-0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Towong (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 | 2,402 | 38.7% | 44.9% | 1,721 | 28.7% | 33.7% | +681 | +10.0pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 1,140 | 18.4% | 9.8% | 1,353 | 22.6% | 13.3% | -213 | -4.2pp |
| Western Catholic | 960 | 15.5% | 19.7% | 1,091 | 18.2% | 22.7% | -131 | -2.7pp |
| Not stated | 663 | 10.7% | 7.7% | 626 | 10.5% | 9.8% | +37 | +0.2pp |
| Uniting Church | 359 | 5.8% | 4.7% | 446 | 7.4% | 6.5% | -87 | -1.6pp |
| Presbyterian | 164 | 2.6% | 2.2% | 208 | 3.5% | 3.2% | -44 | -0.9pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 119 | 1.9% | 2.1% | 168 | 2.8% | 2.1% | -49 | -0.9pp |
| Baptist | 93 | 1.5% | 1.2% | 124 | 2.1% | 1.3% | -31 | -0.6pp |
| Jehovah's Witnesses | 49 | 0.8% | 0.3% | 36 | 0.6% | 0.3% | +13 | +0.2pp |
| Lutheran | 43 | 0.7% | 0.7% | 50 | 0.8% | 0.9% | -7 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 6,208 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,988 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +220 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.