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 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.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Bayside (C), with comparison markers for Greater Melbourne.
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Anglican Church of Australia
Not stated
Greek Orthodox
Judaism
Uniting Church
Presbyterian
Christianity, nfd
Buddhism
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.