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 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.
This area boundary has changed from 2016 to 2021. As a result, 2016 values are mapped onto 2021 suburb boundaries using ABS concordance.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Melbourne (part), with comparison markers for Melbourne (C).
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Not stated
Buddhism
Hinduism
Christianity, nfd
Anglican Church of Australia
Islam
Presbyterian
Uniting Church
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.