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 Sydenham (Vic.), accounting for 32.6% (3,444 people). This share was higher than Brimbank (C) (29.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 527 people and 5.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Sydenham (Vic.) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Sydenham (Vic.) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Brimbank (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Sydenham (Vic.), with comparison markers for Brimbank (C).
Western Catholic
2021 count
3,444
% of total
32.6%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
3,444
32.6%
-1.4pp
No Religion, so described
2021 count
2,223
% of total
21.0%
Change from 2016
+5.3pp
2,223
21.0%
+5.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
624
% of total
5.9%
Change from 2016
-3.2pp
624
5.9%
-3.2pp
Islam
2021 count
569
% of total
5.4%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
569
5.4%
+1.4pp
Sikhism
2021 count
537
% of total
5.1%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
537
5.1%
-1.1pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
468
% of total
4.4%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
468
4.4%
+0.9pp
Hinduism
2021 count
468
% of total
4.4%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
468
4.4%
-0.5pp
Buddhism
2021 count
445
% of total
4.2%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
445
4.2%
+0.4pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
387
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
387
3.7%
+0.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
379
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
379
3.6%
-0.6pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Western Catholic
-236
-1.4pp
No Religion, so described
+527
+5.3pp
Not stated
-360
-3.2pp
Islam
+140
+1.4pp
Sikhism
-131
-1.1pp
Christianity, nfd
+92
+0.9pp
Hinduism
-59
-0.5pp
Buddhism
+34
+0.4pp
Greek Orthodox
+10
+0.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-77
-0.6pp
Data table
Religion for Sydenham (Vic.). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Brimbank (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Brimbank (C)% | Count | % | Brimbank (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Western Catholic | 3,444 | 32.6% | 29.2% | 3,680 | 34.0% | 31.1% | -236 | -1.4pp |
| No Religion, so described | 2,223 | 21.0% | 21.0% | 1,696 | 15.7% | 16.8% | +527 | +5.3pp |
| Not stated | 624 | 5.9% | 7.1% | 984 | 9.1% | 8.4% | -360 | -3.2pp |
| Islam | 569 | 5.4% | 6.7% | 429 | 4.0% | 5.8% | +140 | +1.4pp |
| Sikhism | 537 | 5.1% | 1.8% | 668 | 6.2% | 2.6% | -131 | -1.1pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 468 | 4.4% | 3.8% | 376 | 3.5% | 3.5% | +92 | +0.9pp |
| Hinduism | 468 | 4.4% | 3.1% | 527 | 4.9% | 2.9% | -59 | -0.5pp |
| Buddhism | 445 | 4.2% | 11.1% | 411 | 3.8% | 10.8% | +34 | +0.4pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 387 | 3.7% | 3.9% | 377 | 3.5% | 4.3% | +10 | +0.2pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 379 | 3.6% | 2.4% | 456 | 4.2% | 3.1% | -77 | -0.6pp |
| Total | 10,569 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 10,809 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -240 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.