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 Melbourne (C), accounting for 48.5% (72,602 people). This share was higher than Greater Melbourne (36.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 12,149 people and 4 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Melbourne (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Melbourne (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Melbourne and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Melbourne (C), with comparison markers for Greater Melbourne.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
72,602
% of total
48.5%
Change from 2016
+4.0pp
72,602
48.5%
+4.0pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
19,422
% of total
13.0%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
19,422
13.0%
+0.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
13,467
% of total
9.0%
Change from 2016
-5.2pp
13,467
9.0%
-5.2pp
Buddhism
2021 count
9,425
% of total
6.3%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
9,425
6.3%
-0.6pp
Hinduism
2021 count
9,114
% of total
6.1%
Change from 2016
+2.1pp
9,114
6.1%
+2.1pp
Islam
2021 count
5,800
% of total
3.9%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
5,800
3.9%
0.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
4,573
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
4,573
3.1%
-0.5pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
3,303
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
3,303
2.2%
+0.3pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
1,423
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
1,423
1.0%
-0.3pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
1,316
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
1,316
0.9%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+12,149
+4.0pp
Western Catholic
+1,944
+0.1pp
Not stated
-5,888
-5.2pp
Buddhism
+57
-0.6pp
Hinduism
+3,615
+2.1pp
Islam
+509
0.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-281
-0.5pp
Christianity, nfd
+744
+0.3pp
Uniting Church
-302
-0.3pp
Greek Orthodox
+185
+0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Melbourne (C). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Melbourne.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Melbourne% | Count | % | Greater Melbourne% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 72,602 | 48.5% | 36.9% | 60,453 | 44.5% | 31.0% | +12,149 | +4.0pp |
| Western Catholic | 19,422 | 13.0% | 20.5% | 17,478 | 12.9% | 23.2% | +1,944 | +0.1pp |
| Not stated | 13,467 | 9.0% | 5.8% | 19,355 | 14.2% | 8.6% | -5,888 | -5.2pp |
| Buddhism | 9,425 | 6.3% | 3.9% | 9,368 | 6.9% | 3.8% | +57 | -0.6pp |
| Hinduism | 9,114 | 6.1% | 4.1% | 5,499 | 4.0% | 2.9% | +3,615 | +2.1pp |
| Islam | 5,800 | 3.9% | 5.3% | 5,291 | 3.9% | 4.2% | +509 | 0.0pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 4,573 | 3.1% | 5.5% | 4,854 | 3.6% | 7.6% | -281 | -0.5pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 3,303 | 2.2% | 2.7% | 2,559 | 1.9% | 2.6% | +744 | +0.3pp |
| Uniting Church | 1,423 | 1.0% | 1.7% | 1,725 | 1.3% | 2.3% | -302 | -0.3pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 1,316 | 0.9% | 3.3% | 1,131 | 0.8% | 3.5% | +185 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 149,620 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 135,969 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +13,651 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.