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, Hinduism was the most common religious affiliation among residents in Melonba, accounting for 27.3% (390 people). This share was higher than Blacktown (C) (13.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Hinduism, which increased by 390 people and 24.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Melonba - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Melonba in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Blacktown (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 Melonba, with comparison markers for Blacktown (C).
Hinduism
Western Catholic
Sikhism
No Religion, so described
Islam
Christianity, nfd
Not stated
Anglican Church of Australia
Buddhism
Pentecostal, nfd
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Hinduism
+390
+24.2pp
Western Catholic
+314
-15.0pp
Sikhism
+180
+10.5pp
No Religion, so described
+149
-6.2pp
Islam
+104
+5.1pp
Christianity, nfd
+52
+2.4pp
Not stated
+48
-8.9pp
Anglican Church of Australia
+39
-9.4pp
Buddhism
+33
+0.5pp
Pentecostal, nfd
+20
-0.9pp
Data table
Religion for Melonba. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Blacktown (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Blacktown (C)% | Count | % | Blacktown (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Hinduism | 390 | 27.3% | 13.1% | 0 | 3.1% | 8.5% | +390 | +24.2pp |
| Western Catholic | 319 | 22.3% | 24.0% | 5 | 37.3% | 28.5% | +314 | -15.0pp |
| Sikhism | 180 | 12.6% | 4.6% | 0 | 2.1% | 3.4% | +180 | +10.5pp |
| No Religion, so described | 151 | 10.6% | 18.1% | 2 | 16.8% | 15.0% | +149 | -6.2pp |
| Islam | 104 | 7.3% | 8.0% | 0 | 2.2% | 6.7% | +104 | +5.1pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 52 | 3.6% | 3.4% | 0 | 1.2% | 3.2% | +52 | +2.4pp |
| Not stated | 50 | 3.5% | 6.7% | 2 | 12.4% | 7.3% | +48 | -8.9pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 41 | 2.9% | 7.3% | 2 | 12.3% | 10.6% | +39 | -9.4pp |
| Buddhism | 33 | 2.3% | 1.9% | 0 | 1.8% | 1.7% | +33 | +0.5pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 20 | 1.4% | 1.6% | 0 | 2.3% | 1.9% | +20 | -0.9pp |
| Total | 1,431 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 15 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,416 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.