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 (part), accounting for 45.6% (25,022 people). This share was lower than Melbourne (C) (48.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 4,376 people and 2 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Melbourne (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Melbourne (part) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Melbourne (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Melbourne (part), with comparison markers for Melbourne (C).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
25,022
% of total
45.6%
Change from 2016
+2.0pp
25,022
45.6%
+2.0pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
6,509
% of total
11.8%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
6,509
11.8%
+0.9pp
Not stated
2021 count
6,107
% of total
11.1%
Change from 2016
-3.6pp
6,107
11.1%
-3.6pp
Buddhism
2021 count
4,919
% of total
9.0%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
4,919
9.0%
-1.1pp
Hinduism
2021 count
3,677
% of total
6.7%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
3,677
6.7%
+1.5pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
1,420
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
1,420
2.6%
+0.5pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
1,392
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
1,392
2.5%
-0.4pp
Islam
2021 count
1,364
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
1,364
2.5%
-0.1pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
516
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
516
0.9%
-0.2pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
502
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
502
0.9%
-0.3pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+4,376
+2.0pp
Western Catholic
+1,338
+0.9pp
Not stated
-842
-3.6pp
Buddhism
+154
-1.1pp
Hinduism
+1,209
+1.5pp
Christianity, nfd
+430
+0.5pp
Anglican Church of Australia
+30
-0.4pp
Islam
+146
-0.1pp
Presbyterian
-10
-0.2pp
Uniting Church
-79
-0.3pp
Data table
Religion for Melbourne (part). 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 | 25,022 | 45.6% | 48.5% | 20,646 | 43.6% | 44.5% | +4,376 | +2.0pp |
| Western Catholic | 6,509 | 11.8% | 13.0% | 5,171 | 10.9% | 12.9% | +1,338 | +0.9pp |
| Not stated | 6,107 | 11.1% | 9.0% | 6,949 | 14.7% | 14.2% | -842 | -3.6pp |
| Buddhism | 4,919 | 9.0% | 6.3% | 4,765 | 10.1% | 6.9% | +154 | -1.1pp |
| Hinduism | 3,677 | 6.7% | 6.1% | 2,468 | 5.2% | 4.0% | +1,209 | +1.5pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 1,420 | 2.6% | 2.2% | 990 | 2.1% | 1.9% | +430 | +0.5pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 1,392 | 2.5% | 3.1% | 1,362 | 2.9% | 3.6% | +30 | -0.4pp |
| Islam | 1,364 | 2.5% | 3.9% | 1,218 | 2.6% | 3.9% | +146 | -0.1pp |
| Presbyterian | 516 | 0.9% | 0.8% | 526 | 1.1% | 1.0% | -10 | -0.2pp |
| Uniting Church | 502 | 0.9% | 1.0% | 581 | 1.2% | 1.3% | -79 | -0.3pp |
| Total | 54,933 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 47,310 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +7,623 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.