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 Penola, accounting for 47.5% (761 people). This share was lower than Wattle Range (DC) (52%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 156 people and 9.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Penola - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Penola in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Wattle Range (DC) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Penola, with comparison markers for Wattle Range (DC).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
761
% of total
47.5%
Change from 2016
+9.7pp
761
47.5%
+9.7pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
277
% of total
17.3%
Change from 2016
-3.7pp
277
17.3%
-3.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
164
% of total
10.2%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
164
10.2%
-2.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
133
% of total
8.3%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
133
8.3%
+0.6pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
89
% of total
5.6%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
89
5.6%
-2.1pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
71
% of total
4.4%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
71
4.4%
-1.2pp
Lutheran
2021 count
41
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
41
2.6%
-0.8pp
Buddhism
2021 count
13
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
13
0.8%
+0.2pp
Sikhism
2021 count
10
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
10
0.6%
+0.3pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+156
+9.7pp
Western Catholic
-59
-3.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-35
-2.2pp
Not stated
+9
+0.6pp
Presbyterian
-35
-2.1pp
Uniting Church
-19
-1.2pp
Lutheran
-14
-0.8pp
Buddhism
+3
+0.2pp
Sikhism
+5
+0.3pp
Data table
Religion for Penola. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Wattle Range (DC).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Wattle Range (DC)% | Count | % | Wattle Range (DC)% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 761 | 47.5% | 52.0% | 605 | 37.8% | 39.1% | +156 | +9.7pp |
| Western Catholic | 277 | 17.3% | 14.9% | 336 | 21.0% | 19.1% | -59 | -3.7pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 164 | 10.2% | 7.6% | 199 | 12.4% | 10.6% | -35 | -2.2pp |
| Not stated | 133 | 8.3% | 8.8% | 124 | 7.7% | 9.0% | +9 | +0.6pp |
| Presbyterian | 89 | 5.6% | 3.7% | 124 | 7.7% | 5.7% | -35 | -2.1pp |
| Uniting Church | 71 | 4.4% | 4.9% | 90 | 5.6% | 7.7% | -19 | -1.2pp |
| Lutheran | 41 | 2.6% | 2.1% | 55 | 3.4% | 2.9% | -14 | -0.8pp |
| Buddhism | 13 | 0.8% | 0.6% | 10 | 0.6% | 0.4% | +3 | +0.2pp |
| Sikhism | 10 | 0.6% | 0.1% | 5 | 0.3% | 0.1% | +5 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 1,602 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,602 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 0 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.