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 Carlton (Vic.), accounting for 51.6% (8,277 people). This share was higher than Melbourne (C) (48.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which decreased by 536 people, while its share rose by 4.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Carlton (Vic.) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Carlton (Vic.) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Melbourne (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Carlton (Vic.), with comparison markers for Melbourne (C).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
8,277
% of total
51.6%
Change from 2016
+4.1pp
8,277
51.6%
+4.1pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
1,817
% of total
11.3%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
1,817
11.3%
+0.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,249
% of total
7.8%
Change from 2016
-4.5pp
1,249
7.8%
-4.5pp
Islam
2021 count
1,141
% of total
7.1%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
1,141
7.1%
-0.2pp
Buddhism
2021 count
968
% of total
6.0%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
968
6.0%
-1.5pp
Hinduism
2021 count
730
% of total
4.6%
Change from 2016
+2.2pp
730
4.6%
+2.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
385
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
385
2.4%
+0.2pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
316
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
316
2.0%
-0.1pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
131
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
131
0.8%
0.0pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
119
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
119
0.7%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
-536
+4.1pp
Western Catholic
-198
+0.4pp
Not stated
-1,038
-4.5pp
Islam
-222
-0.2pp
Buddhism
-422
-1.5pp
Hinduism
+287
+2.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-31
+0.2pp
Christianity, nfd
-68
-0.1pp
Greek Orthodox
-17
0.0pp
Uniting Church
-51
-0.2pp
Data table
Religion for Carlton (Vic.). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Melbourne (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Melbourne (C)% | Count | % | Melbourne (C)% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 8,277 | 51.6% | 48.5% | 8,813 | 47.5% | 44.5% | -536 | +4.1pp |
| Western Catholic | 1,817 | 11.3% | 13.0% | 2,015 | 10.9% | 12.9% | -198 | +0.4pp |
| Not stated | 1,249 | 7.8% | 9.0% | 2,287 | 12.3% | 14.2% | -1,038 | -4.5pp |
| Islam | 1,141 | 7.1% | 3.9% | 1,363 | 7.3% | 3.9% | -222 | -0.2pp |
| Buddhism | 968 | 6.0% | 6.3% | 1,390 | 7.5% | 6.9% | -422 | -1.5pp |
| Hinduism | 730 | 4.6% | 6.1% | 443 | 2.4% | 4.0% | +287 | +2.2pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 385 | 2.4% | 3.1% | 416 | 2.2% | 3.6% | -31 | +0.2pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 316 | 2.0% | 2.2% | 384 | 2.1% | 1.9% | -68 | -0.1pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 131 | 0.8% | 0.9% | 148 | 0.8% | 0.8% | -17 | 0.0pp |
| Uniting Church | 119 | 0.7% | 1.0% | 170 | 0.9% | 1.3% | -51 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 16,043 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 18,554 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -2,511 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.