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, Western Catholic was the most common religious affiliation among residents in Melton (C), accounting for 27.3% (48,912 people). This share was higher than Greater Melbourne (20.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 13,386 people and 2.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Melton (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Melton (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Melbourne and change since 2016.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Melton (C), with comparison markers for Greater Melbourne.
Western Catholic
2021 count
48,912
% of total
27.3%
Change from 2016
-5.4pp
48,912
27.3%
-5.4pp
No Religion, so described
2021 count
43,070
% of total
24.1%
Change from 2016
+2.2pp
43,070
24.1%
+2.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
13,249
% of total
7.4%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
13,249
7.4%
-1.6pp
Islam
2021 count
11,419
% of total
6.4%
Change from 2016
+2.4pp
11,419
6.4%
+2.4pp
Sikhism
2021 count
9,437
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
+3.4pp
9,437
5.3%
+3.4pp
Hinduism
2021 count
9,251
% of total
5.2%
Change from 2016
+2.5pp
9,251
5.2%
+2.5pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
7,662
% of total
4.3%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
7,662
4.3%
+0.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
7,052
% of total
3.9%
Change from 2016
-2.6pp
7,052
3.9%
-2.6pp
Buddhism
2021 count
5,049
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
5,049
2.8%
+0.1pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
4,264
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
4,264
2.4%
-0.3pp
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Western Catholic
+4,565
-5.4pp
No Religion, so described
+13,386
+2.2pp
Not stated
+1,049
-1.6pp
Islam
+5,993
+2.4pp
Sikhism
+6,896
+3.4pp
Hinduism
+5,561
+2.5pp
Christianity, nfd
+2,618
+0.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-1,726
-2.6pp
Buddhism
+1,435
+0.1pp
Greek Orthodox
+616
-0.3pp
Data table
Religion for Melton (C). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Melbourne.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Melbourne% | Count | % | Greater Melbourne% | Count | pp | |
| Western Catholic | 48,912 | 27.3% | 20.5% | 44,347 | 32.7% | 23.2% | +4,565 | -5.4pp |
| No Religion, so described | 43,070 | 24.1% | 36.9% | 29,684 | 21.9% | 31.0% | +13,386 | +2.2pp |
| Not stated | 13,249 | 7.4% | 5.8% | 12,200 | 9.0% | 8.6% | +1,049 | -1.6pp |
| Islam | 11,419 | 6.4% | 5.3% | 5,426 | 4.0% | 4.2% | +5,993 | +2.4pp |
| Sikhism | 9,437 | 5.3% | 1.7% | 2,541 | 1.9% | 1.1% | +6,896 | +3.4pp |
| Hinduism | 9,251 | 5.2% | 4.1% | 3,690 | 2.7% | 2.9% | +5,561 | +2.5pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 7,662 | 4.3% | 2.7% | 5,044 | 3.7% | 2.6% | +2,618 | +0.6pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 7,052 | 3.9% | 5.5% | 8,778 | 6.5% | 7.6% | -1,726 | -2.6pp |
| Buddhism | 5,049 | 2.8% | 3.9% | 3,614 | 2.7% | 3.8% | +1,435 | +0.1pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 4,264 | 2.4% | 3.3% | 3,648 | 2.7% | 3.5% | +616 | -0.3pp |
| Total | 178,984 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 135,424 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +43,560 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.