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 Highett (part), accounting for 46.2% (5,543 people). This share was higher than Bayside (C) (44%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 1,616 people and 8.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Highett (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Highett (part) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Bayside (C) and change since 2016.
This area boundary has changed from 2016 to 2021. As a result, 2016 values are mapped onto 2021 suburb boundaries using ABS concordance.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Highett (part), with comparison markers for Bayside (C).
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Anglican Church of Australia
Not stated
Greek Orthodox
Christianity, nfd
Uniting Church
Judaism
Buddhism
Hinduism
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+1,616
+8.7pp
Western Catholic
+158
-1.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-44
-1.6pp
Not stated
-283
-3.5pp
Greek Orthodox
-23
-0.8pp
Christianity, nfd
+101
+0.6pp
Uniting Church
-62
-0.9pp
Judaism
+46
+0.2pp
Buddhism
+60
+0.3pp
Hinduism
+53
+0.3pp
Data table
Religion for Highett (part). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Bayside (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Bayside (C)% | Count | % | Bayside (C)% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 5,543 | 46.2% | 44.0% | 3,927 | 37.5% | 35.8% | +1,616 | +8.7pp |
| Western Catholic | 2,585 | 21.5% | 21.3% | 2,427 | 23.2% | 22.7% | +158 | -1.7pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 924 | 7.7% | 11.8% | 968 | 9.3% | 14.4% | -44 | -1.6pp |
| Not stated | 594 | 4.9% | 4.8% | 877 | 8.4% | 8.6% | -283 | -3.5pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 467 | 3.9% | 3.5% | 490 | 4.7% | 3.4% | -23 | -0.8pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 244 | 2.0% | 1.3% | 143 | 1.4% | 1.3% | +101 | +0.6pp |
| Uniting Church | 233 | 1.9% | 2.7% | 295 | 2.8% | 3.4% | -62 | -0.9pp |
| Judaism | 224 | 1.9% | 2.9% | 178 | 1.7% | 2.7% | +46 | +0.2pp |
| Buddhism | 203 | 1.7% | 1.2% | 143 | 1.4% | 1.2% | +60 | +0.3pp |
| Hinduism | 199 | 1.7% | 0.8% | 146 | 1.4% | 0.6% | +53 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 12,005 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 10,459 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,546 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.