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 Knox (C), accounting for 41.1% (65,397 people). This share was higher than Greater Melbourne (36.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 13,647 people and 7.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Knox (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Knox (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Melbourne and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Knox (C), with comparison markers for Greater Melbourne.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
65,397
% of total
41.1%
Change from 2016
+7.5pp
65,397
41.1%
+7.5pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
29,770
% of total
18.7%
Change from 2016
-2.7pp
29,770
18.7%
-2.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
10,681
% of total
6.7%
Change from 2016
-2.7pp
10,681
6.7%
-2.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
7,337
% of total
4.6%
Change from 2016
-2.4pp
7,337
4.6%
-2.4pp
Buddhism
2021 count
6,881
% of total
4.3%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
6,881
4.3%
+0.5pp
Hinduism
2021 count
5,662
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
5,662
3.6%
+1.0pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
5,636
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
5,636
3.5%
+0.1pp
Baptist
2021 count
3,665
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
3,665
2.3%
-0.1pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
3,638
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
3,638
2.3%
-0.9pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
3,212
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
3,212
2.0%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+13,647
+7.5pp
Western Catholic
-3,271
-2.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-3,834
-2.7pp
Not stated
-3,444
-2.4pp
Buddhism
+1,023
+0.5pp
Hinduism
+1,676
+1.0pp
Christianity, nfd
+341
+0.1pp
Baptist
+22
-0.1pp
Uniting Church
-1,260
-0.9pp
Greek Orthodox
+28
-0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Knox (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 | 65,397 | 41.1% | 36.9% | 51,750 | 33.6% | 31.0% | +13,647 | +7.5pp |
| Western Catholic | 29,770 | 18.7% | 20.5% | 33,041 | 21.4% | 23.2% | -3,271 | -2.7pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 10,681 | 6.7% | 5.5% | 14,515 | 9.4% | 7.6% | -3,834 | -2.7pp |
| Not stated | 7,337 | 4.6% | 5.8% | 10,781 | 7.0% | 8.6% | -3,444 | -2.4pp |
| Buddhism | 6,881 | 4.3% | 3.9% | 5,858 | 3.8% | 3.8% | +1,023 | +0.5pp |
| Hinduism | 5,662 | 3.6% | 4.1% | 3,986 | 2.6% | 2.9% | +1,676 | +1.0pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 5,636 | 3.5% | 2.7% | 5,295 | 3.4% | 2.6% | +341 | +0.1pp |
| Baptist | 3,665 | 2.3% | 1.3% | 3,643 | 2.4% | 1.3% | +22 | -0.1pp |
| Uniting Church | 3,638 | 2.3% | 1.7% | 4,898 | 3.2% | 2.3% | -1,260 | -0.9pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 3,212 | 2.0% | 3.3% | 3,184 | 2.1% | 3.5% | +28 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 159,086 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 154,057 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +5,029 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.