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 East Melbourne, accounting for 51.1% (2,494 people). This share was higher than Melbourne (C) (48.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 374 people and 8 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
East Melbourne - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for East Melbourne in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Melbourne (C) and change since 2016.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for East Melbourne, with comparison markers for Melbourne (C).
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Anglican Church of Australia
Not stated
Uniting Church
Greek Orthodox
Presbyterian
Buddhism
Christianity, nfd
Islam
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+374
+8.0pp
Western Catholic
+4
+0.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-62
-1.2pp
Not stated
-361
-7.3pp
Uniting Church
-16
-0.3pp
Greek Orthodox
+14
+0.3pp
Presbyterian
-8
-0.2pp
Buddhism
-27
-0.5pp
Christianity, nfd
0
0.0pp
Islam
+22
+0.5pp
Data table
Religion for East Melbourne. 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 | 2,494 | 51.1% | 48.5% | 2,120 | 43.1% | 44.5% | +374 | +8.0pp |
| Western Catholic | 908 | 18.6% | 13.0% | 904 | 18.4% | 12.9% | +4 | +0.2pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 419 | 8.6% | 3.1% | 481 | 9.8% | 3.6% | -62 | -1.2pp |
| Not stated | 345 | 7.1% | 9.0% | 706 | 14.4% | 14.2% | -361 | -7.3pp |
| Uniting Church | 104 | 2.1% | 1.0% | 120 | 2.4% | 1.3% | -16 | -0.3pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 86 | 1.8% | 0.9% | 72 | 1.5% | 0.8% | +14 | +0.3pp |
| Presbyterian | 79 | 1.6% | 0.8% | 87 | 1.8% | 1.0% | -8 | -0.2pp |
| Buddhism | 73 | 1.5% | 6.3% | 100 | 2.0% | 6.9% | -27 | -0.5pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 64 | 1.3% | 2.2% | 64 | 1.3% | 1.9% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Islam | 48 | 1.0% | 3.9% | 26 | 0.5% | 3.9% | +22 | +0.5pp |
| Total | 4,881 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,918 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -37 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.