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, No religion was the most common religious affiliation among residents in Ferntree Gully, accounting for 46.6% (12,759 people). This share was higher than Knox (C) (41.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 2,847 people and 9.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Ferntree Gully - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Ferntree Gully in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Knox (C) and change since 2016.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Ferntree Gully, with comparison markers for Knox (C).
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Anglican Church of Australia
Not stated
Christianity, nfd
Buddhism
Hinduism
Uniting Church
Baptist
Presbyterian
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+2,847
+9.1pp
Western Catholic
-625
-3.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-841
-3.5pp
Not stated
-547
-2.2pp
Christianity, nfd
-42
-0.3pp
Buddhism
+129
+0.4pp
Hinduism
+263
+1.0pp
Uniting Church
-232
-0.9pp
Baptist
-33
-0.2pp
Presbyterian
-153
-0.7pp
Data table
Religion for Ferntree Gully. 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 | 12,759 | 46.6% | 41.1% | 9,912 | 37.5% | 33.6% | +2,847 | +9.1pp |
| Western Catholic | 5,112 | 18.7% | 18.7% | 5,737 | 21.7% | 21.4% | -625 | -3.0pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 2,012 | 7.3% | 6.7% | 2,853 | 10.8% | 9.4% | -841 | -3.5pp |
| Not stated | 1,313 | 4.8% | 4.6% | 1,860 | 7.0% | 7.0% | -547 | -2.2pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 826 | 3.0% | 3.5% | 868 | 3.3% | 3.4% | -42 | -0.3pp |
| Buddhism | 769 | 2.8% | 4.3% | 640 | 2.4% | 3.8% | +129 | +0.4pp |
| Hinduism | 646 | 2.4% | 3.6% | 383 | 1.4% | 2.6% | +263 | +1.0pp |
| Uniting Church | 573 | 2.1% | 2.3% | 805 | 3.0% | 3.2% | -232 | -0.9pp |
| Baptist | 484 | 1.8% | 2.3% | 517 | 2.0% | 2.4% | -33 | -0.2pp |
| Presbyterian | 449 | 1.6% | 1.6% | 602 | 2.3% | 2.1% | -153 | -0.7pp |
| Total | 27,389 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 26,418 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +971 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.