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