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 West Melbourne, accounting for 53.1% (4,254 people). This share was higher than Melbourne (C) (48.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 1,780 people and 8.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
West Melbourne - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for West 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 West Melbourne, with comparison markers for Melbourne (C).
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Not stated
Hinduism
Buddhism
Islam
Anglican Church of Australia
Christianity, nfd
Greek Orthodox
Uniting Church
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+1,780
+8.3pp
Western Catholic
+342
+0.2pp
Not stated
-316
-9.5pp
Hinduism
+243
+1.8pp
Buddhism
+116
-0.2pp
Islam
+92
+0.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
+29
-0.6pp
Christianity, nfd
+78
+0.5pp
Greek Orthodox
+17
-0.1pp
Uniting Church
+15
-0.1pp
Data table
Religion for West 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 | 4,254 | 53.1% | 48.5% | 2,474 | 44.8% | 44.5% | +1,780 | +8.3pp |
| Western Catholic | 1,060 | 13.2% | 13.0% | 718 | 13.0% | 12.9% | +342 | +0.2pp |
| Not stated | 665 | 8.3% | 9.0% | 981 | 17.8% | 14.2% | -316 | -9.5pp |
| Hinduism | 469 | 5.9% | 6.1% | 226 | 4.1% | 4.0% | +243 | +1.8pp |
| Buddhism | 414 | 5.2% | 6.3% | 298 | 5.4% | 6.9% | +116 | -0.2pp |
| Islam | 239 | 3.0% | 3.9% | 147 | 2.7% | 3.9% | +92 | +0.3pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 193 | 2.4% | 3.1% | 164 | 3.0% | 3.6% | +29 | -0.6pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 154 | 1.9% | 2.2% | 76 | 1.4% | 1.9% | +78 | +0.5pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 66 | 0.8% | 0.9% | 49 | 0.9% | 0.8% | +17 | -0.1pp |
| Uniting Church | 65 | 0.8% | 1.0% | 50 | 0.9% | 1.3% | +15 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 8,004 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,522 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,482 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.