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 Hepburn (S), accounting for 51.7% (8,574 people). This share was higher than Regional Vic. (44.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 2,309 people and 10.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Hepburn (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Hepburn (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Vic. and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Hepburn (S), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
No Religion, so described
2021 count
8,574
% of total
51.7%
Change from 2016
+10.8pp
8,574
51.7%
+10.8pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
2,565
% of total
15.5%
Change from 2016
-2.6pp
2,565
15.5%
-2.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,573
% of total
9.5%
Change from 2016
-2.6pp
1,573
9.5%
-2.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
1,520
% of total
9.2%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
1,520
9.2%
-2.2pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
653
% of total
3.9%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
653
3.9%
-1.6pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
289
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
289
1.7%
-1.0pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
261
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
261
1.6%
-0.1pp
Buddhism
2021 count
195
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
195
1.2%
-0.1pp
Baptist
2021 count
90
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
90
0.5%
-0.2pp
Inadequately described
2021 count
86
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
86
0.5%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+2,309
+10.8pp
Western Catholic
-203
-2.6pp
Not stated
-280
-2.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-230
-2.2pp
Uniting Church
-193
-1.6pp
Presbyterian
-123
-1.0pp
Christianity, nfd
+2
-0.1pp
Buddhism
-8
-0.1pp
Baptist
-18
-0.2pp
Inadequately described
-2
-0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Hepburn (S). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Vic..
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Vic.% | Count | % | Regional Vic.% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 8,574 | 51.7% | 44.9% | 6,265 | 40.9% | 33.7% | +2,309 | +10.8pp |
| Western Catholic | 2,565 | 15.5% | 19.7% | 2,768 | 18.1% | 22.7% | -203 | -2.6pp |
| Not stated | 1,573 | 9.5% | 7.7% | 1,853 | 12.1% | 9.8% | -280 | -2.6pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 1,520 | 9.2% | 9.8% | 1,750 | 11.4% | 13.3% | -230 | -2.2pp |
| Uniting Church | 653 | 3.9% | 4.7% | 846 | 5.5% | 6.5% | -193 | -1.6pp |
| Presbyterian | 289 | 1.7% | 2.2% | 412 | 2.7% | 3.2% | -123 | -1.0pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 261 | 1.6% | 2.1% | 259 | 1.7% | 2.1% | +2 | -0.1pp |
| Buddhism | 195 | 1.2% | 0.9% | 203 | 1.3% | 0.8% | -8 | -0.1pp |
| Baptist | 90 | 0.5% | 1.2% | 108 | 0.7% | 1.3% | -18 | -0.2pp |
| Inadequately described | 86 | 0.5% | 0.4% | 88 | 0.6% | 0.5% | -2 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 16,571 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 15,322 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,249 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.