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, 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
No Religion, so described
Islam
Not stated
Hinduism
Sikhism
Anglican Church of Australia
Christianity, nfd
Buddhism
Greek Orthodox
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.