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, Western Catholic was the most common religious affiliation among residents in Hume (C), accounting for 24.9% (60,713 people). This share was higher than Greater Melbourne (20.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Islam, which increased by 13,706 people and 2.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Hume (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Hume (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Melbourne and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Hume (C), with comparison markers for Greater Melbourne.
Western Catholic
2021 count
60,713
% of total
24.9%
Change from 2016
-4.1pp
60,713
24.9%
-4.1pp
No Religion, so described
2021 count
46,453
% of total
19.0%
Change from 2016
+2.0pp
46,453
19.0%
+2.0pp
Islam
2021 count
46,196
% of total
18.9%
Change from 2016
+2.4pp
46,196
18.9%
+2.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
15,012
% of total
6.2%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
15,012
6.2%
-2.0pp
Hinduism
2021 count
11,664
% of total
4.8%
Change from 2016
+2.0pp
11,664
4.8%
+2.0pp
Sikhism
2021 count
10,891
% of total
4.5%
Change from 2016
+2.1pp
10,891
4.5%
+2.1pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
8,479
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
8,479
3.5%
-2.0pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
7,069
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
7,069
2.9%
+0.3pp
Buddhism
2021 count
5,977
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
5,977
2.5%
0.0pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
5,689
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
5,689
2.3%
-0.3pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Western Catholic
+3,548
-4.1pp
No Religion, so described
+12,961
+2.0pp
Islam
+13,706
+2.4pp
Not stated
-1,114
-2.0pp
Hinduism
+6,140
+2.0pp
Sikhism
+6,243
+2.1pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-2,468
-2.0pp
Christianity, nfd
+2,024
+0.3pp
Buddhism
+1,138
0.0pp
Greek Orthodox
+627
-0.3pp
Data table
Religion for Hume (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 | |
| Western Catholic | 60,713 | 24.9% | 20.5% | 57,165 | 29.0% | 23.2% | +3,548 | -4.1pp |
| No Religion, so described | 46,453 | 19.0% | 36.9% | 33,492 | 17.0% | 31.0% | +12,961 | +2.0pp |
| Islam | 46,196 | 18.9% | 5.3% | 32,490 | 16.5% | 4.2% | +13,706 | +2.4pp |
| Not stated | 15,012 | 6.2% | 5.8% | 16,126 | 8.2% | 8.6% | -1,114 | -2.0pp |
| Hinduism | 11,664 | 4.8% | 4.1% | 5,524 | 2.8% | 2.9% | +6,140 | +2.0pp |
| Sikhism | 10,891 | 4.5% | 1.7% | 4,648 | 2.4% | 1.1% | +6,243 | +2.1pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 8,479 | 3.5% | 5.5% | 10,947 | 5.5% | 7.6% | -2,468 | -2.0pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 7,069 | 2.9% | 2.7% | 5,045 | 2.6% | 2.6% | +2,024 | +0.3pp |
| Buddhism | 5,977 | 2.5% | 3.9% | 4,839 | 2.5% | 3.8% | +1,138 | 0.0pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 5,689 | 2.3% | 3.3% | 5,062 | 2.6% | 3.5% | +627 | -0.3pp |
| Total | 243,909 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 197,388 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +46,521 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.