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 (part), accounting for 42.7% (13,365 people). This share was lower than Warrnambool (C) (43.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 3,949 people and 11 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Warrnambool (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Warrnambool (part) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Warrnambool (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Warrnambool (part), with comparison markers for Warrnambool (C).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
13,365
% of total
42.7%
Change from 2016
+11.0pp
13,365
42.7%
+11.0pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
8,400
% of total
26.9%
Change from 2016
-3.3pp
8,400
26.9%
-3.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
2,111
% of total
6.7%
Change from 2016
-3.0pp
2,111
6.7%
-3.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
2,076
% of total
6.6%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
2,076
6.6%
-1.6pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
1,307
% of total
4.2%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
1,307
4.2%
-1.7pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
1,052
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
1,052
3.4%
-1.0pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
726
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
726
2.3%
+0.1pp
Baptist
2021 count
402
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
402
1.3%
-0.1pp
Buddhism
2021 count
310
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
310
1.0%
+0.2pp
Lutheran
2021 count
229
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
229
0.7%
-0.3pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+3,949
+11.0pp
Western Catholic
-568
-3.3pp
Not stated
-775
-3.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-361
-1.6pp
Presbyterian
-439
-1.7pp
Uniting Church
-239
-1.0pp
Christianity, nfd
+59
+0.1pp
Baptist
-12
-0.1pp
Buddhism
+78
+0.2pp
Lutheran
-69
-0.3pp
Data table
Religion for Warrnambool (part). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Warrnambool (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Warrnambool (C)% | Count | % | Warrnambool (C)% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 13,365 | 42.7% | 43.2% | 9,416 | 31.7% | 32.1% | +3,949 | +11.0pp |
| Western Catholic | 8,400 | 26.9% | 26.7% | 8,968 | 30.2% | 30.2% | -568 | -3.3pp |
| Not stated | 2,111 | 6.7% | 6.7% | 2,886 | 9.7% | 9.8% | -775 | -3.0pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 2,076 | 6.6% | 6.6% | 2,437 | 8.2% | 8.2% | -361 | -1.6pp |
| Presbyterian | 1,307 | 4.2% | 4.1% | 1,746 | 5.9% | 5.9% | -439 | -1.7pp |
| Uniting Church | 1,052 | 3.4% | 3.4% | 1,291 | 4.4% | 4.3% | -239 | -1.0pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 726 | 2.3% | 2.3% | 667 | 2.2% | 2.1% | +59 | +0.1pp |
| Baptist | 402 | 1.3% | 1.3% | 414 | 1.4% | 1.4% | -12 | -0.1pp |
| Buddhism | 310 | 1.0% | 0.9% | 232 | 0.8% | 0.8% | +78 | +0.2pp |
| Lutheran | 229 | 0.7% | 0.7% | 298 | 1.0% | 1.0% | -69 | -0.3pp |
| Total | 31,277 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 29,659 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,618 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.