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 Warrnambool (C), accounting for 43.2% (15,303 people). This share was lower than Regional Vic. (44.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 4,507 people and 11.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Warrnambool (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Warrnambool (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Vic. and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Warrnambool (C), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
No Religion, so described
2021 count
15,303
% of total
43.2%
Change from 2016
+11.1pp
15,303
43.2%
+11.1pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
9,445
% of total
26.7%
Change from 2016
-3.5pp
9,445
26.7%
-3.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
2,355
% of total
6.7%
Change from 2016
-3.1pp
2,355
6.7%
-3.1pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
2,344
% of total
6.6%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
2,344
6.6%
-1.6pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
1,460
% of total
4.1%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
1,460
4.1%
-1.8pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
1,210
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
1,210
3.4%
-0.9pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
798
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
798
2.3%
+0.2pp
Baptist
2021 count
444
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
444
1.3%
-0.1pp
Buddhism
2021 count
322
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
322
0.9%
+0.1pp
Lutheran
2021 count
263
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
263
0.7%
-0.3pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+4,507
+11.1pp
Western Catholic
-701
-3.5pp
Not stated
-945
-3.1pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-426
-1.6pp
Presbyterian
-517
-1.8pp
Uniting Church
-246
-0.9pp
Christianity, nfd
+87
+0.2pp
Baptist
-36
-0.1pp
Buddhism
+69
+0.1pp
Lutheran
-60
-0.3pp
Data table
Religion for Warrnambool (C). 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 | 15,303 | 43.2% | 44.9% | 10,796 | 32.1% | 33.7% | +4,507 | +11.1pp |
| Western Catholic | 9,445 | 26.7% | 19.7% | 10,146 | 30.2% | 22.7% | -701 | -3.5pp |
| Not stated | 2,355 | 6.7% | 7.7% | 3,300 | 9.8% | 9.8% | -945 | -3.1pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 2,344 | 6.6% | 9.8% | 2,770 | 8.2% | 13.3% | -426 | -1.6pp |
| Presbyterian | 1,460 | 4.1% | 2.2% | 1,977 | 5.9% | 3.2% | -517 | -1.8pp |
| Uniting Church | 1,210 | 3.4% | 4.7% | 1,456 | 4.3% | 6.5% | -246 | -0.9pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 798 | 2.3% | 2.1% | 711 | 2.1% | 2.1% | +87 | +0.2pp |
| Baptist | 444 | 1.3% | 1.2% | 480 | 1.4% | 1.3% | -36 | -0.1pp |
| Buddhism | 322 | 0.9% | 0.9% | 253 | 0.8% | 0.8% | +69 | +0.1pp |
| Lutheran | 263 | 0.7% | 0.7% | 323 | 1.0% | 0.9% | -60 | -0.3pp |
| Total | 35,409 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 33,644 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,765 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.