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
Western Catholic
Not stated
Anglican Church of Australia
Presbyterian
Uniting Church
Christianity, nfd
Baptist
Buddhism
Lutheran
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.