Cultural diversity
Religion
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.
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
Western Catholic
Greek Orthodox
Not stated
Islam
Anglican Church of Australia
Buddhism
Hinduism
Christianity, nfd
Macedonian Orthodox
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.