Cultural diversity
Religion
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.
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 Unincorporated ACT, accounting for 43.5% (197,367 people). This share was similar to Australian Capital Territory (43.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 53,816 people and 7.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Unincorporated ACT - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Unincorporated ACT in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Australian Capital Territory and change since 2016.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Unincorporated ACT, with comparison markers for Australian Capital Territory.
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Anglican Church of Australia
Not stated
Hinduism
Islam
Buddhism
Christianity, nfd
Uniting Church
Presbyterian
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+53,816
+7.3pp
Western Catholic
-942
-3.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-5,576
-2.6pp
Not stated
-10,326
-3.3pp
Hinduism
+10,290
+1.9pp
Islam
+4,738
+0.7pp
Buddhism
+2,777
+0.3pp
Christianity, nfd
+1,689
+0.1pp
Uniting Church
-1,602
-0.6pp
Presbyterian
-1,092
-0.5pp
Data table
Religion for Unincorporated ACT. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Australian Capital Territory.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Australian Capital Territory% | Count | % | Australian Capital Territory% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 197,367 | 43.5% | 43.5% | 143,551 | 36.2% | 36.2% | +53,816 | +7.3pp |
| Western Catholic | 86,744 | 19.1% | 19.1% | 87,686 | 22.1% | 22.1% | -942 | -3.0pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 37,108 | 8.2% | 8.2% | 42,684 | 10.8% | 10.8% | -5,576 | -2.6pp |
| Not stated | 23,557 | 5.2% | 5.2% | 33,883 | 8.5% | 8.5% | -10,326 | -3.3pp |
| Hinduism | 20,498 | 4.5% | 4.5% | 10,208 | 2.6% | 2.6% | +10,290 | +1.9pp |
| Islam | 14,602 | 3.2% | 3.2% | 9,864 | 2.5% | 2.5% | +4,738 | +0.7pp |
| Buddhism | 12,685 | 2.8% | 2.8% | 9,908 | 2.5% | 2.5% | +2,777 | +0.3pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 10,618 | 2.3% | 2.3% | 8,929 | 2.2% | 2.2% | +1,689 | +0.1pp |
| Uniting Church | 7,995 | 1.8% | 1.8% | 9,597 | 2.4% | 2.4% | -1,602 | -0.6pp |
| Presbyterian | 6,061 | 1.3% | 1.3% | 7,153 | 1.8% | 1.8% | -1,092 | -0.5pp |
| Total | 453,879 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 396,863 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +57,016 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.