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 Rowville, accounting for 35.8% (12,009 people). This share was lower than Knox (C) (41.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 2,317 people and 7 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Rowville - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Rowville in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Knox (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Rowville, with comparison markers for Knox (C).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
12,009
% of total
35.8%
Change from 2016
+7.0pp
12,009
35.8%
+7.0pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
8,126
% of total
24.2%
Change from 2016
-2.5pp
8,126
24.2%
-2.5pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
2,242
% of total
6.7%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
2,242
6.7%
-2.1pp
Buddhism
2021 count
1,669
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
1,669
5.0%
+0.4pp
Hinduism
2021 count
1,188
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
1,188
3.5%
+0.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,174
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
-2.5pp
1,174
3.5%
-2.5pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
1,072
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
1,072
3.2%
+0.4pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
1,049
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
1,049
3.1%
-0.2pp
Islam
2021 count
804
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
804
2.4%
+0.6pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
754
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
754
2.2%
-0.9pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+2,317
+7.0pp
Western Catholic
-839
-2.5pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-706
-2.1pp
Buddhism
+114
+0.4pp
Hinduism
+236
+0.7pp
Not stated
-833
-2.5pp
Christianity, nfd
+128
+0.4pp
Greek Orthodox
-75
-0.2pp
Islam
+195
+0.6pp
Uniting Church
-292
-0.9pp
Data table
Religion for Rowville. 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 | 12,009 | 35.8% | 41.1% | 9,692 | 28.8% | 33.6% | +2,317 | +7.0pp |
| Western Catholic | 8,126 | 24.2% | 18.7% | 8,965 | 26.7% | 21.4% | -839 | -2.5pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 2,242 | 6.7% | 6.7% | 2,948 | 8.8% | 9.4% | -706 | -2.1pp |
| Buddhism | 1,669 | 5.0% | 4.3% | 1,555 | 4.6% | 3.8% | +114 | +0.4pp |
| Hinduism | 1,188 | 3.5% | 3.6% | 952 | 2.8% | 2.6% | +236 | +0.7pp |
| Not stated | 1,174 | 3.5% | 4.6% | 2,007 | 6.0% | 7.0% | -833 | -2.5pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 1,072 | 3.2% | 3.5% | 944 | 2.8% | 3.4% | +128 | +0.4pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 1,049 | 3.1% | 2.0% | 1,124 | 3.3% | 2.1% | -75 | -0.2pp |
| Islam | 804 | 2.4% | 1.5% | 609 | 1.8% | 1.1% | +195 | +0.6pp |
| Uniting Church | 754 | 2.2% | 2.3% | 1,046 | 3.1% | 3.2% | -292 | -0.9pp |
| Total | 33,589 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 33,635 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -46 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.