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 Templestowe Lower, accounting for 32.2% (4,531 people). This share was lower than Manningham (C) (37%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 893 people and 5.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Templestowe Lower - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Templestowe Lower in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Manningham (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Templestowe Lower, with comparison markers for Manningham (C).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
4,531
% of total
32.2%
Change from 2016
+5.1pp
4,531
32.2%
+5.1pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
3,170
% of total
22.6%
Change from 2016
-2.6pp
3,170
22.6%
-2.6pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
1,635
% of total
11.6%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
1,635
11.6%
+0.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
779
% of total
5.5%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
779
5.5%
-2.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
602
% of total
4.3%
Change from 2016
-3.1pp
602
4.3%
-3.1pp
Buddhism
2021 count
505
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
505
3.6%
+0.1pp
Islam
2021 count
450
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
450
3.2%
+1.3pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
383
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
383
2.7%
+0.3pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
343
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
343
2.4%
-0.5pp
Baptist
2021 count
263
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
263
1.9%
+0.3pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+893
+5.1pp
Western Catholic
-223
-2.6pp
Greek Orthodox
+125
+0.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-239
-2.1pp
Not stated
-399
-3.1pp
Buddhism
+32
+0.1pp
Islam
+192
+1.3pp
Christianity, nfd
+54
+0.3pp
Uniting Church
-46
-0.5pp
Baptist
+43
+0.3pp
Data table
Religion for Templestowe Lower. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Manningham (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Manningham (C)% | Count | % | Manningham (C)% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 4,531 | 32.2% | 37.0% | 3,638 | 27.1% | 30.7% | +893 | +5.1pp |
| Western Catholic | 3,170 | 22.6% | 19.6% | 3,393 | 25.2% | 22.3% | -223 | -2.6pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 1,635 | 11.6% | 7.9% | 1,510 | 11.2% | 8.1% | +125 | +0.4pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 779 | 5.5% | 5.7% | 1,018 | 7.6% | 7.3% | -239 | -2.1pp |
| Not stated | 602 | 4.3% | 4.6% | 1,001 | 7.4% | 7.3% | -399 | -3.1pp |
| Buddhism | 505 | 3.6% | 4.4% | 473 | 3.5% | 4.0% | +32 | +0.1pp |
| Islam | 450 | 3.2% | 3.4% | 258 | 1.9% | 2.2% | +192 | +1.3pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 383 | 2.7% | 3.0% | 329 | 2.4% | 2.7% | +54 | +0.3pp |
| Uniting Church | 343 | 2.4% | 2.2% | 389 | 2.9% | 2.9% | -46 | -0.5pp |
| Baptist | 263 | 1.9% | 2.5% | 220 | 1.6% | 2.3% | +43 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 14,053 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 13,448 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +605 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.