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 Bayswater (Vic.), accounting for 43.4% (5,309 people). This share was higher than Knox (C) (41.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 2,178 people and 7.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Bayswater (Vic.) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Bayswater (Vic.) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Knox (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Bayswater (Vic.), with comparison markers for Knox (C).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
5,309
% of total
43.4%
Change from 2016
+7.7pp
5,309
43.4%
+7.7pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
2,006
% of total
16.4%
Change from 2016
-3.6pp
2,006
16.4%
-3.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
713
% of total
5.8%
Change from 2016
-4.7pp
713
5.8%
-4.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
708
% of total
5.8%
Change from 2016
-3.2pp
708
5.8%
-3.2pp
Hinduism
2021 count
496
% of total
4.1%
Change from 2016
+2.4pp
496
4.1%
+2.4pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
480
% of total
3.9%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
480
3.9%
+0.5pp
Buddhism
2021 count
477
% of total
3.9%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
477
3.9%
+1.1pp
Baptist
2021 count
301
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
301
2.5%
-0.6pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
282
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
282
2.3%
-0.6pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
198
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
198
1.6%
+0.5pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+2,178
+7.7pp
Western Catholic
+247
-3.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-208
-4.7pp
Not stated
-85
-3.2pp
Hinduism
+348
+2.4pp
Christianity, nfd
+184
+0.5pp
Buddhism
+233
+1.1pp
Baptist
+30
-0.6pp
Uniting Church
+27
-0.6pp
Pentecostal, nfd
+104
+0.5pp
Data table
Religion for Bayswater (Vic.). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Knox (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Knox (C)% | Count | % | Knox (C)% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 5,309 | 43.4% | 41.1% | 3,131 | 35.7% | 33.6% | +2,178 | +7.7pp |
| Western Catholic | 2,006 | 16.4% | 18.7% | 1,759 | 20.0% | 21.4% | +247 | -3.6pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 713 | 5.8% | 6.7% | 921 | 10.5% | 9.4% | -208 | -4.7pp |
| Not stated | 708 | 5.8% | 4.6% | 793 | 9.0% | 7.0% | -85 | -3.2pp |
| Hinduism | 496 | 4.1% | 3.6% | 148 | 1.7% | 2.6% | +348 | +2.4pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 480 | 3.9% | 3.5% | 296 | 3.4% | 3.4% | +184 | +0.5pp |
| Buddhism | 477 | 3.9% | 4.3% | 244 | 2.8% | 3.8% | +233 | +1.1pp |
| Baptist | 301 | 2.5% | 2.3% | 271 | 3.1% | 2.4% | +30 | -0.6pp |
| Uniting Church | 282 | 2.3% | 2.3% | 255 | 2.9% | 3.2% | +27 | -0.6pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 198 | 1.6% | 1.8% | 94 | 1.1% | 1.7% | +104 | +0.5pp |
| Total | 12,238 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 8,781 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +3,457 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.