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
Western Catholic
Anglican Church of Australia
Not stated
Christianity, nfd
Uniting Church
Greek Orthodox
Presbyterian
Buddhism
Hinduism
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.