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 Darebin (C), accounting for 44.7% (66,394 people). This share was higher than Greater Melbourne (36.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 15,013 people and 9.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Darebin (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Darebin (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Melbourne and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Darebin (C), with comparison markers for Greater Melbourne.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
66,394
% of total
44.7%
Change from 2016
+9.7pp
66,394
44.7%
+9.7pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
31,062
% of total
20.9%
Change from 2016
-2.8pp
31,062
20.9%
-2.8pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
11,490
% of total
7.7%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
11,490
7.7%
-0.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
7,967
% of total
5.4%
Change from 2016
-4.0pp
7,967
5.4%
-4.0pp
Islam
2021 count
6,129
% of total
4.1%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
6,129
4.1%
-0.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
4,129
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
4,129
2.8%
-0.9pp
Buddhism
2021 count
3,890
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
3,890
2.6%
-0.3pp
Hinduism
2021 count
3,767
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
3,767
2.5%
-0.3pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
2,777
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
2,777
1.9%
0.0pp
Macedonian Orthodox
2021 count
1,374
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
1,374
0.9%
0.0pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+15,013
+9.7pp
Western Catholic
-3,707
-2.8pp
Greek Orthodox
-231
-0.3pp
Not stated
-5,782
-4.0pp
Islam
-514
-0.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-1,284
-0.9pp
Buddhism
-383
-0.3pp
Hinduism
-292
-0.3pp
Christianity, nfd
-30
0.0pp
Macedonian Orthodox
+29
0.0pp
Data table
Religion for Darebin (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 | |
| No Religion, so described | 66,394 | 44.7% | 36.9% | 51,381 | 35.0% | 31.0% | +15,013 | +9.7pp |
| Western Catholic | 31,062 | 20.9% | 20.5% | 34,769 | 23.7% | 23.2% | -3,707 | -2.8pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 11,490 | 7.7% | 3.3% | 11,721 | 8.0% | 3.5% | -231 | -0.3pp |
| Not stated | 7,967 | 5.4% | 5.8% | 13,749 | 9.4% | 8.6% | -5,782 | -4.0pp |
| Islam | 6,129 | 4.1% | 5.3% | 6,643 | 4.5% | 4.2% | -514 | -0.4pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 4,129 | 2.8% | 5.5% | 5,413 | 3.7% | 7.6% | -1,284 | -0.9pp |
| Buddhism | 3,890 | 2.6% | 3.9% | 4,273 | 2.9% | 3.8% | -383 | -0.3pp |
| Hinduism | 3,767 | 2.5% | 4.1% | 4,059 | 2.8% | 2.9% | -292 | -0.3pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 2,777 | 1.9% | 2.7% | 2,807 | 1.9% | 2.6% | -30 | 0.0pp |
| Macedonian Orthodox | 1,374 | 0.9% | 0.4% | 1,345 | 0.9% | 0.4% | +29 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 148,568 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 146,703 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,865 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.