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 Greater Dandenong (C), accounting for 20.8% (32,844 people). This share was lower than Greater Melbourne (36.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 7,144 people and 3.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Greater Dandenong (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Greater Dandenong (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Melbourne and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Greater Dandenong (C), with comparison markers for Greater Melbourne.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
32,844
% of total
20.8%
Change from 2016
+3.9pp
32,844
20.8%
+3.9pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
28,587
% of total
18.1%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
28,587
18.1%
-1.6pp
Buddhism
2021 count
25,124
% of total
15.9%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
25,124
15.9%
+1.1pp
Islam
2021 count
22,522
% of total
14.2%
Change from 2016
+1.7pp
22,522
14.2%
+1.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
10,513
% of total
6.6%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
10,513
6.6%
-2.0pp
Hinduism
2021 count
8,041
% of total
5.1%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
8,041
5.1%
+0.1pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
4,689
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
4,689
3.0%
-0.1pp
Sikhism
2021 count
4,588
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
4,588
2.9%
-0.7pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
4,292
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
4,292
2.7%
0.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
4,007
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
4,007
2.5%
-1.0pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+7,144
+3.9pp
Western Catholic
-1,402
-1.6pp
Buddhism
+2,557
+1.1pp
Islam
+3,582
+1.7pp
Not stated
-2,619
-2.0pp
Hinduism
+466
+0.1pp
Greek Orthodox
-21
-0.1pp
Sikhism
-819
-0.7pp
Christianity, nfd
+125
0.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-1,387
-1.0pp
Data table
Religion for Greater Dandenong (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 | 32,844 | 20.8% | 36.9% | 25,700 | 16.9% | 31.0% | +7,144 | +3.9pp |
| Western Catholic | 28,587 | 18.1% | 20.5% | 29,989 | 19.7% | 23.2% | -1,402 | -1.6pp |
| Buddhism | 25,124 | 15.9% | 3.9% | 22,567 | 14.8% | 3.8% | +2,557 | +1.1pp |
| Islam | 22,522 | 14.2% | 5.3% | 18,940 | 12.5% | 4.2% | +3,582 | +1.7pp |
| Not stated | 10,513 | 6.6% | 5.8% | 13,132 | 8.6% | 8.6% | -2,619 | -2.0pp |
| Hinduism | 8,041 | 5.1% | 4.1% | 7,575 | 5.0% | 2.9% | +466 | +0.1pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 4,689 | 3.0% | 3.3% | 4,710 | 3.1% | 3.5% | -21 | -0.1pp |
| Sikhism | 4,588 | 2.9% | 1.7% | 5,407 | 3.6% | 1.1% | -819 | -0.7pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 4,292 | 2.7% | 2.7% | 4,167 | 2.7% | 2.6% | +125 | 0.0pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 4,007 | 2.5% | 5.5% | 5,394 | 3.5% | 7.6% | -1,387 | -1.0pp |
| Total | 158,245 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 152,066 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +6,179 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.