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 Heidelberg West, accounting for 39.2% (2,057 people). This share was lower than Banyule (C) (43%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 487 people and 10.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Heidelberg West - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Heidelberg West in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Banyule (C) and change since 2016.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Heidelberg West, with comparison markers for Banyule (C).
No Religion, so described
Islam
Western Catholic
Not stated
Anglican Church of Australia
Buddhism
Greek Orthodox
Christianity, nfd
Hinduism
Uniting Church
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+487
+10.7pp
Islam
-128
-1.6pp
Western Catholic
-116
-1.4pp
Not stated
-372
-6.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-122
-2.0pp
Buddhism
+19
+0.5pp
Greek Orthodox
+18
+0.4pp
Christianity, nfd
+21
+0.5pp
Hinduism
-19
-0.3pp
Uniting Church
-44
-0.7pp
Data table
Religion for Heidelberg West. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Banyule (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Banyule (C)% | Count | % | Banyule (C)% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 2,057 | 39.2% | 43.0% | 1,570 | 28.5% | 34.6% | +487 | +10.7pp |
| Islam | 835 | 15.9% | 2.4% | 963 | 17.5% | 2.2% | -128 | -1.6pp |
| Western Catholic | 777 | 14.8% | 24.5% | 893 | 16.2% | 27.0% | -116 | -1.4pp |
| Not stated | 415 | 7.9% | 4.5% | 787 | 14.3% | 7.7% | -372 | -6.4pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 225 | 4.3% | 6.6% | 347 | 6.3% | 8.9% | -122 | -2.0pp |
| Buddhism | 154 | 2.9% | 1.9% | 135 | 2.4% | 1.7% | +19 | +0.5pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 133 | 2.5% | 3.5% | 115 | 2.1% | 3.4% | +18 | +0.4pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 126 | 2.4% | 2.1% | 105 | 1.9% | 2.0% | +21 | +0.5pp |
| Hinduism | 91 | 1.7% | 1.8% | 110 | 2.0% | 1.4% | -19 | -0.3pp |
| Uniting Church | 69 | 1.3% | 2.2% | 113 | 2.0% | 2.8% | -44 | -0.7pp |
| Total | 5,253 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,514 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -261 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.