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 Black Forest, accounting for 48.4% (949 people). This share was higher than Unley (C) (47.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 152 people and 7.2 percentage points.

Section overview

Religion - Ranked by size

Black Forest - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises religion for Black Forest in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Unley (C) and change since 2016.

Religion - Ranked by size snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Black Forest, with comparison markers for Unley (C).

Black Forest
Unley (C)

No Religion, so described

2021 count

949

% of total

48.4%

Change from 2016

+7.2pp

Western Catholic

2021 count

278

% of total

14.2%

Change from 2016

-0.4pp

Anglican Church of Australia

2021 count

135

% of total

6.9%

Change from 2016

-1.5pp

Greek Orthodox

2021 count

118

% of total

6.0%

Change from 2016

+0.9pp

Hinduism

2021 count

92

% of total

4.7%

Change from 2016

+2.3pp

Uniting Church

2021 count

75

% of total

3.8%

Change from 2016

-2.0pp

Not stated

2021 count

67

% of total

3.4%

Change from 2016

-4.5pp

Buddhism

2021 count

52

% of total

2.7%

Change from 2016

+0.7pp

Christianity, nfd

2021 count

37

% of total

1.9%

Change from 2016

-1.0pp

Islam

2021 count

24

% of total

1.2%

Change from 2016

+0.4pp

Data table

Religion for Black Forest. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Unley (C).

Religion for Black Forest. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Unley (C).
Religion for Black Forest. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Unley (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Unley (C)%Count%Unley (C)%Countpp
No Religion, so described94948.4%47.1%79741.2%38.3%+152+7.2pp
Western Catholic27814.2%15.8%28314.6%17.2%-5-0.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia1356.9%8.9%1638.4%11.1%-28-1.5pp
Greek Orthodox1186.0%5.2%995.1%5.1%+19+0.9pp
Hinduism924.7%2.3%462.4%1.5%+46+2.3pp
Uniting Church753.8%4.3%1125.8%5.6%-37-2.0pp
Not stated673.4%4.1%1527.9%8.0%-85-4.5pp
Buddhism522.7%1.7%382.0%1.6%+14+0.7pp
Christianity, nfd371.9%1.8%572.9%1.9%-20-1.0pp
Islam241.2%1.1%160.8%1.2%+8+0.4pp
Total1,961100.0%100.0%1,933100.0%100.0%+280.0pp

Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.