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, accounting for 39.2% (5,578 people). This share was lower than Knox (C) (41.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Anglican Church of Australia, which decreased by 1,476 people and 8.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Wantirna - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Wantirna in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Knox (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Wantirna, with comparison markers for Knox (C).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
5,578
% of total
39.2%
Change from 2016
+5.5pp
5,578
39.2%
+5.5pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
2,382
% of total
16.8%
Change from 2016
-3.9pp
2,382
16.8%
-3.9pp
Buddhism
2021 count
837
% of total
5.9%
Change from 2016
+5.0pp
837
5.9%
+5.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
825
% of total
5.8%
Change from 2016
-8.8pp
825
5.8%
-8.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
781
% of total
5.5%
Change from 2016
-3.0pp
781
5.5%
-3.0pp
Hinduism
2021 count
644
% of total
4.5%
Change from 2016
+4.1pp
644
4.5%
+4.1pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
569
% of total
4.0%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
569
4.0%
+1.1pp
Baptist
2021 count
417
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
417
2.9%
+1.5pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
360
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
-3.1pp
360
2.5%
-3.1pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
344
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
+2.0pp
344
2.4%
+2.0pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+272
+5.5pp
Western Catholic
-876
-3.9pp
Buddhism
+695
+5.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-1,476
-8.8pp
Not stated
-552
-3.0pp
Hinduism
+578
+4.1pp
Christianity, nfd
+105
+1.1pp
Baptist
+191
+1.5pp
Uniting Church
-514
-3.1pp
Greek Orthodox
+280
+2.0pp
Data table
Religion for Wantirna. 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 | 5,578 | 39.2% | 41.1% | 5,306 | 33.7% | 33.6% | +272 | +5.5pp |
| Western Catholic | 2,382 | 16.8% | 18.7% | 3,258 | 20.7% | 21.4% | -876 | -3.9pp |
| Buddhism | 837 | 5.9% | 4.3% | 142 | 0.9% | 3.8% | +695 | +5.0pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 825 | 5.8% | 6.7% | 2,301 | 14.6% | 9.4% | -1,476 | -8.8pp |
| Not stated | 781 | 5.5% | 4.6% | 1,333 | 8.5% | 7.0% | -552 | -3.0pp |
| Hinduism | 644 | 4.5% | 3.6% | 66 | 0.4% | 2.6% | +578 | +4.1pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 569 | 4.0% | 3.5% | 464 | 2.9% | 3.4% | +105 | +1.1pp |
| Baptist | 417 | 2.9% | 2.3% | 226 | 1.4% | 2.4% | +191 | +1.5pp |
| Uniting Church | 360 | 2.5% | 2.3% | 874 | 5.6% | 3.2% | -514 | -3.1pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 344 | 2.4% | 2.0% | 64 | 0.4% | 2.1% | +280 | +2.0pp |
| Total | 14,213 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 15,745 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -1,532 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.