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 Heidelberg, accounting for 42.3% (3,124 people). This share was lower than Banyule (C) (43%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 961 people and 7.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Heidelberg - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Heidelberg in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Banyule (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Heidelberg, with comparison markers for Banyule (C).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
3,124
% of total
42.3%
Change from 2016
+7.3pp
3,124
42.3%
+7.3pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
1,829
% of total
24.8%
Change from 2016
-2.6pp
1,829
24.8%
-2.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
473
% of total
6.4%
Change from 2016
-2.3pp
473
6.4%
-2.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
410
% of total
5.6%
Change from 2016
-3.2pp
410
5.6%
-3.2pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
231
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
231
3.1%
+0.5pp
Hinduism
2021 count
211
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
211
2.9%
+0.4pp
Islam
2021 count
161
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
161
2.2%
-0.2pp
Buddhism
2021 count
145
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
145
2.0%
+0.2pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
144
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
144
2.0%
-0.4pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
123
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
123
1.7%
+0.3pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+961
+7.3pp
Western Catholic
+134
-2.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-63
-2.3pp
Not stated
-132
-3.2pp
Greek Orthodox
+72
+0.5pp
Hinduism
+56
+0.4pp
Islam
+15
-0.2pp
Buddhism
+34
+0.2pp
Uniting Church
-2
-0.4pp
Christianity, nfd
+37
+0.3pp
Data table
Religion for Heidelberg. 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 | 3,124 | 42.3% | 43.0% | 2,163 | 35.0% | 34.6% | +961 | +7.3pp |
| Western Catholic | 1,829 | 24.8% | 24.5% | 1,695 | 27.4% | 27.0% | +134 | -2.6pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 473 | 6.4% | 6.6% | 536 | 8.7% | 8.9% | -63 | -2.3pp |
| Not stated | 410 | 5.6% | 4.5% | 542 | 8.8% | 7.7% | -132 | -3.2pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 231 | 3.1% | 3.5% | 159 | 2.6% | 3.4% | +72 | +0.5pp |
| Hinduism | 211 | 2.9% | 1.8% | 155 | 2.5% | 1.4% | +56 | +0.4pp |
| Islam | 161 | 2.2% | 2.4% | 146 | 2.4% | 2.2% | +15 | -0.2pp |
| Buddhism | 145 | 2.0% | 1.9% | 111 | 1.8% | 1.7% | +34 | +0.2pp |
| Uniting Church | 144 | 2.0% | 2.2% | 146 | 2.4% | 2.8% | -2 | -0.4pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 123 | 1.7% | 2.1% | 86 | 1.4% | 2.0% | +37 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 7,381 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,182 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,199 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.