Cultural diversity
Religion
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.
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.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Greater Dandenong (C), with comparison markers for Greater Melbourne.
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Buddhism
Islam
Not stated
Hinduism
Greek Orthodox
Sikhism
Christianity, nfd
Anglican Church of Australia
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.