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 Bayside (C), accounting for 44% (44,580 people). This share was higher than Greater Melbourne (36.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 9,865 people and 8.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Bayside (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Bayside (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Melbourne and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Bayside (C), with comparison markers for Greater Melbourne.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
44,580
% of total
44.0%
Change from 2016
+8.2pp
44,580
44.0%
+8.2pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
21,564
% of total
21.3%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
21,564
21.3%
-1.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
11,971
% of total
11.8%
Change from 2016
-2.6pp
11,971
11.8%
-2.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
4,863
% of total
4.8%
Change from 2016
-3.8pp
4,863
4.8%
-3.8pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
3,516
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
3,516
3.5%
+0.1pp
Judaism
2021 count
2,928
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
2,928
2.9%
+0.2pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
2,700
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
2,700
2.7%
-0.7pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
1,375
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
1,375
1.4%
-0.5pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
1,339
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
1,339
1.3%
0.0pp
Buddhism
2021 count
1,228
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
1,228
1.2%
0.0pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+9,865
+8.2pp
Western Catholic
-475
-1.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-1,958
-2.6pp
Not stated
-3,528
-3.8pp
Greek Orthodox
+261
+0.1pp
Judaism
+321
+0.2pp
Uniting Church
-560
-0.7pp
Presbyterian
-424
-0.5pp
Christianity, nfd
+95
0.0pp
Buddhism
+46
0.0pp
Data table
Religion for Bayside (C). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Melbourne.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Melbourne% | Count | % | Greater Melbourne% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 44,580 | 44.0% | 36.9% | 34,715 | 35.8% | 31.0% | +9,865 | +8.2pp |
| Western Catholic | 21,564 | 21.3% | 20.5% | 22,039 | 22.7% | 23.2% | -475 | -1.4pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 11,971 | 11.8% | 5.5% | 13,929 | 14.4% | 7.6% | -1,958 | -2.6pp |
| Not stated | 4,863 | 4.8% | 5.8% | 8,391 | 8.6% | 8.6% | -3,528 | -3.8pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 3,516 | 3.5% | 3.3% | 3,255 | 3.4% | 3.5% | +261 | +0.1pp |
| Judaism | 2,928 | 2.9% | 0.9% | 2,607 | 2.7% | 0.9% | +321 | +0.2pp |
| Uniting Church | 2,700 | 2.7% | 1.7% | 3,260 | 3.4% | 2.3% | -560 | -0.7pp |
| Presbyterian | 1,375 | 1.4% | 1.1% | 1,799 | 1.9% | 1.5% | -424 | -0.5pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 1,339 | 1.3% | 2.7% | 1,244 | 1.3% | 2.6% | +95 | 0.0pp |
| Buddhism | 1,228 | 1.2% | 3.9% | 1,182 | 1.2% | 3.8% | +46 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 101,295 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 97,036 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +4,259 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.