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, No religion was the most common religious affiliation among residents in Cardinia (S), accounting for 43.8% (51,788 people). This share was higher than Greater Melbourne (36.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 17,733 people and 7.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Cardinia (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Cardinia (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Melbourne and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Cardinia (S), with comparison markers for Greater Melbourne.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
51,788
% of total
43.8%
Change from 2016
+7.6pp
51,788
43.8%
+7.6pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
20,931
% of total
17.7%
Change from 2016
-4.0pp
20,931
17.7%
-4.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
9,143
% of total
7.7%
Change from 2016
-4.7pp
9,143
7.7%
-4.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
7,348
% of total
6.2%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
7,348
6.2%
-2.0pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
3,660
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
3,660
3.1%
-0.3pp
Hinduism
2021 count
3,238
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
3,238
2.7%
+1.5pp
Islam
2021 count
3,119
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
3,119
2.6%
+1.6pp
Sikhism
2021 count
3,097
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
+1.7pp
3,097
2.6%
+1.7pp
Buddhism
2021 count
2,743
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
2,743
2.3%
+0.8pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
2,444
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
2,444
2.1%
-1.3pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+17,733
+7.6pp
Western Catholic
+542
-4.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-2,531
-4.7pp
Not stated
-370
-2.0pp
Christianity, nfd
+443
-0.3pp
Hinduism
+2,103
+1.5pp
Islam
+2,173
+1.6pp
Sikhism
+2,294
+1.7pp
Buddhism
+1,335
+0.8pp
Uniting Church
-783
-1.3pp
Data table
Religion for Cardinia (S). 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 | |
| No Religion, so described | 51,788 | 43.8% | 36.9% | 34,055 | 36.2% | 31.0% | +17,733 | +7.6pp |
| Western Catholic | 20,931 | 17.7% | 20.5% | 20,389 | 21.7% | 23.2% | +542 | -4.0pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 9,143 | 7.7% | 5.5% | 11,674 | 12.4% | 7.6% | -2,531 | -4.7pp |
| Not stated | 7,348 | 6.2% | 5.8% | 7,718 | 8.2% | 8.6% | -370 | -2.0pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 3,660 | 3.1% | 2.7% | 3,217 | 3.4% | 2.6% | +443 | -0.3pp |
| Hinduism | 3,238 | 2.7% | 4.1% | 1,135 | 1.2% | 2.9% | +2,103 | +1.5pp |
| Islam | 3,119 | 2.6% | 5.3% | 946 | 1.0% | 4.2% | +2,173 | +1.6pp |
| Sikhism | 3,097 | 2.6% | 1.7% | 803 | 0.9% | 1.1% | +2,294 | +1.7pp |
| Buddhism | 2,743 | 2.3% | 3.9% | 1,408 | 1.5% | 3.8% | +1,335 | +0.8pp |
| Uniting Church | 2,444 | 2.1% | 1.7% | 3,227 | 3.4% | 2.3% | -783 | -1.3pp |
| Total | 118,205 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 94,121 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +24,084 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.