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
No Religion, so described
Buddhism
Not stated
Islam
Greek Orthodox
Christianity, nfd
Hinduism
Anglican Church of Australia
Sikhism
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.