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 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 1,583 people and 5.6 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.
This area boundary has changed from 2016 to 2021. As a result, 2016 values are mapped onto 2021 suburb boundaries using ABS concordance.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Wantirna South, with comparison markers for Knox (C).
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Buddhism
Anglican Church of Australia
Hinduism
Christianity, nfd
Pentecostal, nfd
Not stated
Baptist
Uniting Church
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+1,583
+5.6pp
Western Catholic
-300
-2.7pp
Buddhism
+144
+0.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-309
-2.1pp
Hinduism
+263
+1.0pp
Christianity, nfd
+159
+0.5pp
Pentecostal, nfd
+78
+0.1pp
Not stated
-328
-2.0pp
Baptist
+40
-0.1pp
Uniting Church
-133
-0.9pp
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% | 5,586 | 29.0% | 33.6% | +1,583 | +5.6pp |
| Western Catholic | 3,268 | 15.8% | 18.7% | 3,568 | 18.5% | 21.4% | -300 | -2.7pp |
| Buddhism | 1,308 | 6.3% | 4.3% | 1,164 | 6.0% | 3.8% | +144 | +0.3pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 1,265 | 6.1% | 6.7% | 1,574 | 8.2% | 9.4% | -309 | -2.1pp |
| Hinduism | 1,195 | 5.8% | 3.6% | 932 | 4.8% | 2.6% | +263 | +1.0pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 947 | 4.6% | 3.5% | 788 | 4.1% | 3.4% | +159 | +0.5pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 830 | 4.0% | 1.8% | 752 | 3.9% | 1.7% | +78 | +0.1pp |
| Not stated | 792 | 3.8% | 4.6% | 1,120 | 5.8% | 7.0% | -328 | -2.0pp |
| Baptist | 731 | 3.5% | 2.3% | 691 | 3.6% | 2.4% | +40 | -0.1pp |
| Uniting Church | 544 | 2.6% | 2.3% | 677 | 3.5% | 3.2% | -133 | -0.9pp |
| Total | 20,746 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 19,283 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,463 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.