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 Parkville (Vic.) (part), accounting for 54.9% (3,855 people). This share was higher than Melbourne (C) (48.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 512 people and 9.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Parkville (Vic.) (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Parkville (Vic.) (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.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Parkville (Vic.) (part), with comparison markers for Melbourne (C).
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Not stated
Anglican Church of Australia
Islam
Buddhism
Hinduism
Christianity, nfd
Uniting Church
Greek Orthodox
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+512
+9.7pp
Western Catholic
-113
-0.8pp
Not stated
-658
-8.5pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-38
-0.3pp
Islam
+32
+0.6pp
Buddhism
-13
0.0pp
Hinduism
+27
+0.5pp
Christianity, nfd
+11
+0.2pp
Uniting Church
-60
-0.8pp
Greek Orthodox
0
0.0pp
Data table
Religion for Parkville (Vic.) (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 | 3,855 | 54.9% | 48.5% | 3,343 | 45.2% | 44.5% | +512 | +9.7pp |
| Western Catholic | 1,026 | 14.6% | 13.0% | 1,139 | 15.4% | 12.9% | -113 | -0.8pp |
| Not stated | 478 | 6.8% | 9.0% | 1,136 | 15.3% | 14.2% | -658 | -8.5pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 345 | 4.9% | 3.1% | 383 | 5.2% | 3.6% | -38 | -0.3pp |
| Islam | 276 | 3.9% | 3.9% | 244 | 3.3% | 3.9% | +32 | +0.6pp |
| Buddhism | 234 | 3.3% | 6.3% | 247 | 3.3% | 6.9% | -13 | 0.0pp |
| Hinduism | 171 | 2.4% | 6.1% | 144 | 1.9% | 4.0% | +27 | +0.5pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 100 | 1.4% | 2.2% | 89 | 1.2% | 1.9% | +11 | +0.2pp |
| Uniting Church | 78 | 1.1% | 1.0% | 138 | 1.9% | 1.3% | -60 | -0.8pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 66 | 0.9% | 0.9% | 66 | 0.9% | 0.8% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 7,021 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 7,401 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -380 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.