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 Watsonia, accounting for 46.5% (2,493 people). This share was higher than Banyule (C) (43%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 520 people and 8.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Watsonia - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Watsonia 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 Watsonia, with comparison markers for Banyule (C).
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Anglican Church of Australia
Not stated
Hinduism
Uniting Church
Christianity, nfd
Greek Orthodox
Islam
Buddhism
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+520
+8.7pp
Western Catholic
-158
-3.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-162
-3.3pp
Not stated
-91
-1.9pp
Hinduism
+66
+1.2pp
Uniting Church
-13
-0.4pp
Christianity, nfd
+1
0.0pp
Greek Orthodox
-2
-0.1pp
Islam
+30
+0.5pp
Buddhism
+1
0.0pp
Data table
Religion for Watsonia. 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 | 2,493 | 46.5% | 43.0% | 1,973 | 37.8% | 34.6% | +520 | +8.7pp |
| Western Catholic | 1,228 | 22.9% | 24.5% | 1,386 | 26.6% | 27.0% | -158 | -3.7pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 347 | 6.5% | 6.6% | 509 | 9.8% | 8.9% | -162 | -3.3pp |
| Not stated | 281 | 5.2% | 4.5% | 372 | 7.1% | 7.7% | -91 | -1.9pp |
| Hinduism | 123 | 2.3% | 1.8% | 57 | 1.1% | 1.4% | +66 | +1.2pp |
| Uniting Church | 115 | 2.1% | 2.2% | 128 | 2.5% | 2.8% | -13 | -0.4pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 110 | 2.1% | 2.1% | 109 | 2.1% | 2.0% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 102 | 1.9% | 3.5% | 104 | 2.0% | 3.4% | -2 | -0.1pp |
| Islam | 91 | 1.7% | 2.4% | 61 | 1.2% | 2.2% | +30 | +0.5pp |
| Buddhism | 81 | 1.5% | 1.9% | 80 | 1.5% | 1.7% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 5,359 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,214 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +145 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.