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 Wangaratta (RC), accounting for 41.7% (12,429 people). This share was lower than Regional Vic. (44.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 4,001 people and 11.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Wangaratta (RC) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Wangaratta (RC) 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 Wangaratta (RC), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
No Religion, so described
2021 count
12,429
% of total
41.7%
Change from 2016
+11.9pp
12,429
41.7%
+11.9pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
7,049
% of total
23.7%
Change from 2016
-3.3pp
7,049
23.7%
-3.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
3,578
% of total
12.0%
Change from 2016
-3.5pp
3,578
12.0%
-3.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
2,089
% of total
7.0%
Change from 2016
-3.1pp
2,089
7.0%
-3.1pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
1,260
% of total
4.2%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
1,260
4.2%
-1.5pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
697
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
697
2.3%
-1.1pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
608
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
608
2.0%
+0.2pp
Buddhism
2021 count
247
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
247
0.8%
+0.2pp
Baptist
2021 count
243
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
243
0.8%
0.0pp
Hinduism
2021 count
187
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
187
0.6%
+0.3pp
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+4,001
+11.9pp
Western Catholic
-591
-3.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-806
-3.5pp
Not stated
-769
-3.1pp
Uniting Church
-344
-1.5pp
Presbyterian
-271
-1.1pp
Christianity, nfd
+86
+0.2pp
Buddhism
+70
+0.2pp
Baptist
+5
0.0pp
Hinduism
+98
+0.3pp
Data table
Religion for Wangaratta (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 | 12,429 | 41.7% | 44.9% | 8,428 | 29.8% | 33.7% | +4,001 | +11.9pp |
| Western Catholic | 7,049 | 23.7% | 19.7% | 7,640 | 27.0% | 22.7% | -591 | -3.3pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 3,578 | 12.0% | 9.8% | 4,384 | 15.5% | 13.3% | -806 | -3.5pp |
| Not stated | 2,089 | 7.0% | 7.7% | 2,858 | 10.1% | 9.8% | -769 | -3.1pp |
| Uniting Church | 1,260 | 4.2% | 4.7% | 1,604 | 5.7% | 6.5% | -344 | -1.5pp |
| Presbyterian | 697 | 2.3% | 2.2% | 968 | 3.4% | 3.2% | -271 | -1.1pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 608 | 2.0% | 2.1% | 522 | 1.8% | 2.1% | +86 | +0.2pp |
| Buddhism | 247 | 0.8% | 0.9% | 177 | 0.6% | 0.8% | +70 | +0.2pp |
| Baptist | 243 | 0.8% | 1.2% | 238 | 0.8% | 1.3% | +5 | 0.0pp |
| Hinduism | 187 | 0.6% | 0.7% | 89 | 0.3% | 0.4% | +98 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 29,787 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 28,305 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,482 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.