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 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.
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 Carlton (Vic.), with comparison markers for Melbourne (C).
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Not stated
Islam
Buddhism
Hinduism
Anglican Church of Australia
Christianity, nfd
Greek Orthodox
Uniting Church
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.