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 Glen Eira (C), accounting for 37.1% (55,229 people). This share was higher than Greater Melbourne (36.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 11,217 people and 5.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Glen Eira (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Glen Eira (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Melbourne and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Glen Eira (C), with comparison markers for Greater Melbourne.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
55,229
% of total
37.1%
Change from 2016
+5.9pp
55,229
37.1%
+5.9pp
Judaism
2021 count
25,585
% of total
17.2%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
25,585
17.2%
+0.4pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
23,886
% of total
16.0%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
23,886
16.0%
-1.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
7,732
% of total
5.2%
Change from 2016
-3.2pp
7,732
5.2%
-3.2pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
7,668
% of total
5.1%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
7,668
5.1%
+0.1pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
6,690
% of total
4.5%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
6,690
4.5%
-1.5pp
Hinduism
2021 count
6,505
% of total
4.4%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
6,505
4.4%
+0.4pp
Buddhism
2021 count
3,155
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
3,155
2.1%
0.0pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
2,075
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
2,075
1.4%
-0.5pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
2,049
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
2,049
1.4%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+11,217
+5.9pp
Judaism
+1,927
+0.4pp
Western Catholic
-519
-1.3pp
Not stated
-4,092
-3.2pp
Greek Orthodox
+573
+0.1pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-1,704
-1.5pp
Hinduism
+820
+0.4pp
Buddhism
+188
0.0pp
Uniting Church
-635
-0.5pp
Christianity, nfd
+268
+0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Glen Eira (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 | 55,229 | 37.1% | 36.9% | 44,012 | 31.2% | 31.0% | +11,217 | +5.9pp |
| Judaism | 25,585 | 17.2% | 0.9% | 23,658 | 16.8% | 0.9% | +1,927 | +0.4pp |
| Western Catholic | 23,886 | 16.0% | 20.5% | 24,405 | 17.3% | 23.2% | -519 | -1.3pp |
| Not stated | 7,732 | 5.2% | 5.8% | 11,824 | 8.4% | 8.6% | -4,092 | -3.2pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 7,668 | 5.1% | 3.3% | 7,095 | 5.0% | 3.5% | +573 | +0.1pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 6,690 | 4.5% | 5.5% | 8,394 | 6.0% | 7.6% | -1,704 | -1.5pp |
| Hinduism | 6,505 | 4.4% | 4.1% | 5,685 | 4.0% | 2.9% | +820 | +0.4pp |
| Buddhism | 3,155 | 2.1% | 3.9% | 2,967 | 2.1% | 3.8% | +188 | 0.0pp |
| Uniting Church | 2,075 | 1.4% | 1.7% | 2,710 | 1.9% | 2.3% | -635 | -0.5pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 2,049 | 1.4% | 2.7% | 1,781 | 1.3% | 2.6% | +268 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 148,928 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 140,840 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +8,088 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.