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 Frankston (C), accounting for 50.2% (69,951 people). This share was higher than Greater Melbourne (36.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 17,792 people and 11.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Frankston (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Frankston (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Melbourne and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Frankston (C), with comparison markers for Greater Melbourne.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
69,951
% of total
50.2%
Change from 2016
+11.3pp
69,951
50.2%
+11.3pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
24,165
% of total
17.4%
Change from 2016
-2.7pp
24,165
17.4%
-2.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
12,209
% of total
8.8%
Change from 2016
-3.5pp
12,209
8.8%
-3.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
8,968
% of total
6.4%
Change from 2016
-2.7pp
8,968
6.4%
-2.7pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
3,630
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
3,630
2.6%
-0.3pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
2,732
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
2,732
2.0%
-0.6pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
2,294
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
2,294
1.6%
+0.1pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
2,194
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
2,194
1.6%
-0.9pp
Buddhism
2021 count
1,696
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
1,696
1.2%
0.0pp
Hinduism
2021 count
1,444
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
1,444
1.0%
0.0pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+17,792
+11.3pp
Western Catholic
-2,801
-2.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-4,258
-3.5pp
Not stated
-3,197
-2.7pp
Christianity, nfd
-326
-0.3pp
Uniting Church
-698
-0.6pp
Greek Orthodox
+300
+0.1pp
Presbyterian
-1,216
-0.9pp
Buddhism
+50
0.0pp
Hinduism
+58
0.0pp
Data table
Religion for Frankston (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 | 69,951 | 50.2% | 36.9% | 52,159 | 38.9% | 31.0% | +17,792 | +11.3pp |
| Western Catholic | 24,165 | 17.4% | 20.5% | 26,966 | 20.1% | 23.2% | -2,801 | -2.7pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 12,209 | 8.8% | 5.5% | 16,467 | 12.3% | 7.6% | -4,258 | -3.5pp |
| Not stated | 8,968 | 6.4% | 5.8% | 12,165 | 9.1% | 8.6% | -3,197 | -2.7pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 3,630 | 2.6% | 2.7% | 3,956 | 2.9% | 2.6% | -326 | -0.3pp |
| Uniting Church | 2,732 | 2.0% | 1.7% | 3,430 | 2.6% | 2.3% | -698 | -0.6pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 2,294 | 1.6% | 3.3% | 1,994 | 1.5% | 3.5% | +300 | +0.1pp |
| Presbyterian | 2,194 | 1.6% | 1.1% | 3,410 | 2.5% | 1.5% | -1,216 | -0.9pp |
| Buddhism | 1,696 | 1.2% | 3.9% | 1,646 | 1.2% | 3.8% | +50 | 0.0pp |
| Hinduism | 1,444 | 1.0% | 4.1% | 1,386 | 1.0% | 2.9% | +58 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 139,243 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 134,134 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +5,109 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.