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 Hobsons Bay (C), accounting for 38.2% (34,845 people). This share was higher than Greater Melbourne (36.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 7,433 people and 7.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Hobsons Bay (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Hobsons Bay (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 Hobsons Bay (C), with comparison markers for Greater Melbourne.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
34,845
% of total
38.2%
Change from 2016
+7.3pp
34,845
38.2%
+7.3pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
23,338
% of total
25.6%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
23,338
25.6%
-1.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
5,130
% of total
5.6%
Change from 2016
-2.5pp
5,130
5.6%
-2.5pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
4,892
% of total
5.4%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
4,892
5.4%
-1.6pp
Islam
2021 count
4,656
% of total
5.1%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
4,656
5.1%
+0.1pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
3,719
% of total
4.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
3,719
4.1%
0.0pp
Hinduism
2021 count
2,135
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
2,135
2.3%
+0.1pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
2,122
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
2,122
2.3%
0.0pp
Buddhism
2021 count
2,043
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
2,043
2.2%
-0.2pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
1,337
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
1,337
1.5%
-0.6pp
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+7,433
+7.3pp
Western Catholic
-619
-1.4pp
Not stated
-2,057
-2.5pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-1,340
-1.6pp
Islam
+251
+0.1pp
Greek Orthodox
+36
0.0pp
Hinduism
+213
+0.1pp
Christianity, nfd
+66
0.0pp
Buddhism
-58
-0.2pp
Uniting Church
-525
-0.6pp
Data table
Religion for Hobsons Bay (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 | 34,845 | 38.2% | 36.9% | 27,412 | 30.9% | 31.0% | +7,433 | +7.3pp |
| Western Catholic | 23,338 | 25.6% | 20.5% | 23,957 | 27.0% | 23.2% | -619 | -1.4pp |
| Not stated | 5,130 | 5.6% | 5.8% | 7,187 | 8.1% | 8.6% | -2,057 | -2.5pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 4,892 | 5.4% | 5.5% | 6,232 | 7.0% | 7.6% | -1,340 | -1.6pp |
| Islam | 4,656 | 5.1% | 5.3% | 4,405 | 5.0% | 4.2% | +251 | +0.1pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 3,719 | 4.1% | 3.3% | 3,683 | 4.1% | 3.5% | +36 | 0.0pp |
| Hinduism | 2,135 | 2.3% | 4.1% | 1,922 | 2.2% | 2.9% | +213 | +0.1pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 2,122 | 2.3% | 2.7% | 2,056 | 2.3% | 2.6% | +66 | 0.0pp |
| Buddhism | 2,043 | 2.2% | 3.9% | 2,101 | 2.4% | 3.8% | -58 | -0.2pp |
| Uniting Church | 1,337 | 1.5% | 1.7% | 1,862 | 2.1% | 2.3% | -525 | -0.6pp |
| Total | 91,288 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 88,772 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,516 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.