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 Upper Ferntree Gully (part), accounting for 54.7% (1,860 people). This share was higher than Knox (C) (41.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which decreased by 1,912 people, while its share rose by 18.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Upper Ferntree Gully (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Upper Ferntree Gully (part) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Knox (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Upper Ferntree Gully (part), with comparison markers for Knox (C).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
1,860
% of total
54.7%
Change from 2016
+18.5pp
1,860
54.7%
+18.5pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
572
% of total
16.8%
Change from 2016
-2.6pp
572
16.8%
-2.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
285
% of total
8.4%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
285
8.4%
-0.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
154
% of total
4.5%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
154
4.5%
-2.2pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
101
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
101
3.0%
-0.7pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
64
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
64
1.9%
-2.1pp
Baptist
2021 count
54
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
54
1.6%
-1.3pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
48
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
48
1.4%
-0.4pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
44
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
44
1.3%
-0.8pp
Buddhism
2021 count
39
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-3.2pp
39
1.1%
-3.2pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
-1,912
+18.5pp
Western Catholic
-1,450
-2.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-632
-0.4pp
Not stated
-544
-2.2pp
Christianity, nfd
-285
-0.7pp
Uniting Church
-351
-2.1pp
Baptist
-248
-1.3pp
Presbyterian
-142
-0.4pp
Greek Orthodox
-174
-0.8pp
Buddhism
-413
-3.2pp
Data table
Religion for Upper Ferntree Gully (part). 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 | 1,860 | 54.7% | 41.1% | 3,772 | 36.2% | 33.6% | -1,912 | +18.5pp |
| Western Catholic | 572 | 16.8% | 18.7% | 2,022 | 19.4% | 21.4% | -1,450 | -2.6pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 285 | 8.4% | 6.7% | 917 | 8.8% | 9.4% | -632 | -0.4pp |
| Not stated | 154 | 4.5% | 4.6% | 698 | 6.7% | 7.0% | -544 | -2.2pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 101 | 3.0% | 3.5% | 386 | 3.7% | 3.4% | -285 | -0.7pp |
| Uniting Church | 64 | 1.9% | 2.3% | 415 | 4.0% | 3.2% | -351 | -2.1pp |
| Baptist | 54 | 1.6% | 2.3% | 302 | 2.9% | 2.4% | -248 | -1.3pp |
| Presbyterian | 48 | 1.4% | 1.6% | 190 | 1.8% | 2.1% | -142 | -0.4pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 44 | 1.3% | 2.0% | 218 | 2.1% | 2.1% | -174 | -0.8pp |
| Buddhism | 39 | 1.1% | 4.3% | 452 | 4.3% | 3.8% | -413 | -3.2pp |
| Total | 3,401 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 10,431 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -7,030 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.