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 Southbank (part), accounting for 45.7% (10,330 people). This share was lower than Melbourne (C) (48.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 2,493 people and 3.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Southbank (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Southbank (part) 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 Southbank (part), with comparison markers for Melbourne (C).
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Hinduism
Not stated
Buddhism
Islam
Anglican Church of Australia
Christianity, nfd
Pentecostal, nfd
Uniting Church
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+2,493
+3.8pp
Western Catholic
+643
+0.2pp
Hinduism
+1,038
+3.8pp
Not stated
-1,292
-8.4pp
Buddhism
+151
-0.3pp
Islam
+277
+0.8pp
Anglican Church of Australia
+32
-0.5pp
Christianity, nfd
+249
+0.8pp
Pentecostal, nfd
+76
+0.2pp
Uniting Church
-19
-0.3pp
Data table
Religion for Southbank (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 | 10,330 | 45.7% | 48.5% | 7,837 | 41.9% | 44.5% | +2,493 | +3.8pp |
| Western Catholic | 3,497 | 15.5% | 13.0% | 2,854 | 15.3% | 12.9% | +643 | +0.2pp |
| Hinduism | 1,840 | 8.1% | 6.1% | 802 | 4.3% | 4.0% | +1,038 | +3.8pp |
| Not stated | 1,687 | 7.5% | 9.0% | 2,979 | 15.9% | 14.2% | -1,292 | -8.4pp |
| Buddhism | 1,221 | 5.4% | 6.3% | 1,070 | 5.7% | 6.9% | +151 | -0.3pp |
| Islam | 753 | 3.3% | 3.9% | 476 | 2.5% | 3.9% | +277 | +0.8pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 683 | 3.0% | 3.1% | 651 | 3.5% | 3.6% | +32 | -0.5pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 609 | 2.7% | 2.2% | 360 | 1.9% | 1.9% | +249 | +0.8pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 247 | 1.1% | 0.6% | 171 | 0.9% | 0.8% | +76 | +0.2pp |
| Uniting Church | 219 | 1.0% | 1.0% | 238 | 1.3% | 1.3% | -19 | -0.3pp |
| Total | 22,593 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 18,702 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +3,891 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.