Cultural diversity
Religion
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.
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
Western Catholic
Anglican Church of Australia
Not stated
Uniting Church
Christianity, nfd
Presbyterian
Buddhism
Hinduism
Jehovah's Witnesses
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.