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 Coast (M), accounting for 45% (1,916 people). This share was lower than Regional Tas. (49.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 529 people and 11.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
West Coast (M) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for West Coast (M) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Tas. and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for West Coast (M), with comparison markers for Regional Tas..
No Religion, so described
2021 count
1,916
% of total
45.0%
Change from 2016
+11.5pp
1,916
45.0%
+11.5pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
705
% of total
16.6%
Change from 2016
-6.0pp
705
16.6%
-6.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
630
% of total
14.8%
Change from 2016
-7.4pp
630
14.8%
-7.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
487
% of total
11.4%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
487
11.4%
+1.6pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
100
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
100
2.3%
-0.9pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
94
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
94
2.2%
+0.3pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
46
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
46
1.1%
-0.4pp
Buddhism
2021 count
37
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
37
0.9%
+0.5pp
Hinduism
2021 count
25
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
25
0.6%
+0.4pp
Jehovah's Witnesses
2021 count
24
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
24
0.6%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+529
+11.5pp
Western Catholic
-229
-6.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-290
-7.4pp
Not stated
+83
+1.6pp
Uniting Church
-34
-0.9pp
Christianity, nfd
+14
+0.3pp
Presbyterian
-16
-0.4pp
Buddhism
+21
+0.5pp
Hinduism
+17
+0.4pp
Jehovah's Witnesses
+9
+0.2pp
Data table
Religion for West Coast (M). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Tas..
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Tas.% | Count | % | Regional Tas.% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 1,916 | 45.0% | 49.3% | 1,387 | 33.5% | 36.1% | +529 | +11.5pp |
| Western Catholic | 705 | 16.6% | 11.7% | 934 | 22.6% | 14.5% | -229 | -6.0pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 630 | 14.8% | 14.7% | 920 | 22.2% | 20.8% | -290 | -7.4pp |
| Not stated | 487 | 11.4% | 7.3% | 404 | 9.8% | 9.5% | +83 | +1.6pp |
| Uniting Church | 100 | 2.3% | 3.3% | 134 | 3.2% | 4.8% | -34 | -0.9pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 94 | 2.2% | 2.9% | 80 | 1.9% | 3.0% | +14 | +0.3pp |
| Presbyterian | 46 | 1.1% | 1.5% | 62 | 1.5% | 2.1% | -16 | -0.4pp |
| Buddhism | 37 | 0.9% | 0.8% | 16 | 0.4% | 0.7% | +21 | +0.5pp |
| Hinduism | 25 | 0.6% | 1.0% | 8 | 0.2% | 0.3% | +17 | +0.4pp |
| Jehovah's Witnesses | 24 | 0.6% | 0.5% | 15 | 0.4% | 0.5% | +9 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 4,256 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,139 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +117 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.