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 West Arnhem (R), accounting for 24.9% (1,559 people). This share was lower than Regional NT (32.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Christianity, nfd, which increased by 1,406 people and 22.5 percentage points.

Section overview

Religion - Ranked by size

West Arnhem (R) - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises religion for West Arnhem (R) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NT and change since 2016.

Religion - Ranked by size snapshot

2021 distribution by category for West Arnhem (R), with comparison markers for Regional NT.

West Arnhem (R)
Regional NT

No Religion, so described

2021 count

1,559

% of total

24.9%

Change from 2016

+2.5pp

Christianity, nfd

2021 count

1,504

% of total

24.1%

Change from 2016

+22.5pp

Uniting Church

2021 count

895

% of total

14.3%

Change from 2016

-10.8pp

Not stated

2021 count

830

% of total

13.3%

Change from 2016

-8.0pp

Australian Aboriginal Traditional Religions

2021 count

548

% of total

8.8%

Change from 2016

-1.3pp

Western Catholic

2021 count

340

% of total

5.4%

Change from 2016

-1.3pp

Anglican Church of Australia

2021 count

324

% of total

5.2%

Change from 2016

-3.2pp

Methodist, so described

2021 count

91

% of total

1.5%

Change from 2016

+1.3pp

Buddhism

2021 count

29

% of total

0.5%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Pentecostal, nec

2021 count

23

% of total

0.4%

Change from 2016

+0.3pp

Data table

Religion for West Arnhem (R). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NT.

Religion for West Arnhem (R). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NT.
Religion for West Arnhem (R). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NT.
Category20212016Change
Count%Regional NT%Count%Regional NT%Countpp
No Religion, so described1,55924.9%32.6%1,38422.4%24.2%+175+2.5pp
Christianity, nfd1,50424.1%4.9%981.6%2.3%+1,406+22.5pp
Uniting Church89514.3%6.1%1,54825.1%9.4%-653-10.8pp
Not stated83013.3%12.9%1,31321.3%17.2%-483-8.0pp
Australian Aboriginal Traditional Religions5488.8%3.7%62110.1%3.4%-73-1.3pp
Western Catholic3405.4%14.9%4166.7%17.7%-76-1.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia3245.2%6.3%5218.4%8.0%-197-3.2pp
Methodist, so described911.5%0.2%140.2%0.2%+77+1.3pp
Buddhism290.5%0.8%350.6%0.9%-6-0.1pp
Pentecostal, nec230.4%0.1%70.1%0.0%+16+0.3pp
Total6,253100.0%100.0%6,175100.0%100.0%+780.0pp

Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.