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, Western Catholic was the most common religious affiliation among residents in Brimbank (C), accounting for 29.2% (56,751 people). This share was higher than Greater Melbourne (20.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 8,194 people and 4.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Brimbank (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Brimbank (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Melbourne and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Brimbank (C), with comparison markers for Greater Melbourne.
Western Catholic
2021 count
56,751
% of total
29.2%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
56,751
29.2%
-1.9pp
No Religion, so described
2021 count
40,855
% of total
21.0%
Change from 2016
+4.2pp
40,855
21.0%
+4.2pp
Buddhism
2021 count
21,602
% of total
11.1%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
21,602
11.1%
+0.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
13,893
% of total
7.1%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
13,893
7.1%
-1.3pp
Islam
2021 count
13,031
% of total
6.7%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
13,031
6.7%
+0.9pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
7,677
% of total
3.9%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
7,677
3.9%
-0.4pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
7,490
% of total
3.8%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
7,490
3.8%
+0.3pp
Hinduism
2021 count
6,070
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
6,070
3.1%
+0.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
4,606
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
4,606
2.4%
-0.7pp
Sikhism
2021 count
3,568
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
3,568
1.8%
-0.8pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Western Catholic
-3,599
-1.9pp
No Religion, so described
+8,194
+4.2pp
Buddhism
+639
+0.3pp
Not stated
-2,353
-1.3pp
Islam
+1,710
+0.9pp
Greek Orthodox
-639
-0.4pp
Christianity, nfd
+674
+0.3pp
Hinduism
+418
+0.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-1,364
-0.7pp
Sikhism
-1,390
-0.8pp
Data table
Religion for Brimbank (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 | |
| Western Catholic | 56,751 | 29.2% | 20.5% | 60,350 | 31.1% | 23.2% | -3,599 | -1.9pp |
| No Religion, so described | 40,855 | 21.0% | 36.9% | 32,661 | 16.8% | 31.0% | +8,194 | +4.2pp |
| Buddhism | 21,602 | 11.1% | 3.9% | 20,963 | 10.8% | 3.8% | +639 | +0.3pp |
| Not stated | 13,893 | 7.1% | 5.8% | 16,246 | 8.4% | 8.6% | -2,353 | -1.3pp |
| Islam | 13,031 | 6.7% | 5.3% | 11,321 | 5.8% | 4.2% | +1,710 | +0.9pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 7,677 | 3.9% | 3.3% | 8,316 | 4.3% | 3.5% | -639 | -0.4pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 7,490 | 3.8% | 2.7% | 6,816 | 3.5% | 2.6% | +674 | +0.3pp |
| Hinduism | 6,070 | 3.1% | 4.1% | 5,652 | 2.9% | 2.9% | +418 | +0.2pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 4,606 | 2.4% | 5.5% | 5,970 | 3.1% | 7.6% | -1,364 | -0.7pp |
| Sikhism | 3,568 | 1.8% | 1.7% | 4,958 | 2.6% | 1.1% | -1,390 | -0.8pp |
| Total | 194,566 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 194,331 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +235 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.