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 Wantirna South, accounting for 34.6% (7,169 people). This share was lower than Knox (C) (41.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 7,088 people and 1.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Wantirna South - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Wantirna South in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Knox (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Wantirna South, with comparison markers for Knox (C).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
7,169
% of total
34.6%
Change from 2016
+1.7pp
7,169
34.6%
+1.7pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
3,268
% of total
15.8%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
3,268
15.8%
-2.1pp
Buddhism
2021 count
1,308
% of total
6.3%
Change from 2016
-
1,308
6.3%
-
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
1,265
% of total
6.1%
Change from 2016
-11.4pp
1,265
6.1%
-11.4pp
Hinduism
2021 count
1,195
% of total
5.8%
Change from 2016
-
1,195
5.8%
-
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
947
% of total
4.6%
Change from 2016
-2.3pp
947
4.6%
-2.3pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
830
% of total
4.0%
Change from 2016
-
830
4.0%
-
Not stated
2021 count
792
% of total
3.8%
Change from 2016
-4.7pp
792
3.8%
-4.7pp
Baptist
2021 count
731
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
-
731
3.5%
-
Uniting Church
2021 count
544
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
-6.7pp
544
2.6%
-6.7pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+7,088
+1.7pp
Western Catholic
+3,224
-2.1pp
Anglican Church of Australia
+1,222
-11.4pp
Christianity, nfd
+930
-2.3pp
Not stated
+771
-4.7pp
Uniting Church
+521
-6.7pp
Presbyterian
+434
-3.5pp
Seventh-day Adventist
+81
-0.8pp
Data table
Religion for Wantirna South. 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 | 7,169 | 34.6% | 41.1% | 81 | 32.9% | 33.6% | +7,088 | +1.7pp |
| Western Catholic | 3,268 | 15.8% | 18.7% | 44 | 17.9% | 21.4% | +3,224 | -2.1pp |
| Buddhism | 1,308 | 6.3% | 4.3% | - | - | 3.8% | - | - |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 1,265 | 6.1% | 6.7% | 43 | 17.5% | 9.4% | +1,222 | -11.4pp |
| Hinduism | 1,195 | 5.8% | 3.6% | - | - | 2.6% | - | - |
| Christianity, nfd | 947 | 4.6% | 3.5% | 17 | 6.9% | 3.4% | +930 | -2.3pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 830 | 4.0% | 1.8% | - | - | 1.7% | - | - |
| Not stated | 792 | 3.8% | 4.6% | 21 | 8.5% | 7.0% | +771 | -4.7pp |
| Baptist | 731 | 3.5% | 2.3% | - | - | 2.4% | - | - |
| Uniting Church | 544 | 2.6% | 2.3% | 23 | 9.3% | 3.2% | +521 | -6.7pp |
| Total | 20,746 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 246 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +20,500 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.