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 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.
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 Templestowe Lower, with comparison markers for Manningham (C).
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Greek Orthodox
Anglican Church of Australia
Not stated
Buddhism
Islam
Christianity, nfd
Uniting Church
Baptist
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.