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, No religion was the most common religious affiliation among residents in Melville (C), accounting for 40.4% (41,781 people). This share was lower than Greater Perth (41.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 11,058 people and 9.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Melville (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Melville (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Perth and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Melville (C), with comparison markers for Greater Perth.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
41,781
% of total
40.4%
Change from 2016
+9.1pp
41,781
40.4%
+9.1pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
24,350
% of total
23.5%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
24,350
23.5%
-1.9pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
11,070
% of total
10.7%
Change from 2016
-3.5pp
11,070
10.7%
-3.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
4,967
% of total
4.8%
Change from 2016
-3.0pp
4,967
4.8%
-3.0pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
3,178
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
3,178
3.1%
+0.2pp
Buddhism
2021 count
2,827
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
2,827
2.7%
-0.2pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
2,505
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
2,505
2.4%
-0.6pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
2,097
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
2,097
2.0%
-0.5pp
Baptist
2021 count
1,927
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
1,927
1.9%
-0.1pp
Hinduism
2021 count
1,699
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
1,699
1.6%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+11,058
+9.1pp
Western Catholic
-511
-1.9pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-2,859
-3.5pp
Not stated
-2,695
-3.0pp
Christianity, nfd
+338
+0.2pp
Buddhism
+24
-0.2pp
Uniting Church
-443
-0.6pp
Presbyterian
-390
-0.5pp
Baptist
-13
-0.1pp
Hinduism
+311
+0.2pp
Data table
Religion for Melville (C). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Perth.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Perth% | Count | % | Greater Perth% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 41,781 | 40.4% | 41.8% | 30,723 | 31.3% | 32.1% | +11,058 | +9.1pp |
| Western Catholic | 24,350 | 23.5% | 19.4% | 24,861 | 25.4% | 22.0% | -511 | -1.9pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 11,070 | 10.7% | 9.9% | 13,929 | 14.2% | 13.8% | -2,859 | -3.5pp |
| Not stated | 4,967 | 4.8% | 6.2% | 7,662 | 7.8% | 9.1% | -2,695 | -3.0pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 3,178 | 3.1% | 3.4% | 2,840 | 2.9% | 3.4% | +338 | +0.2pp |
| Buddhism | 2,827 | 2.7% | 2.5% | 2,803 | 2.9% | 2.5% | +24 | -0.2pp |
| Uniting Church | 2,505 | 2.4% | 1.5% | 2,948 | 3.0% | 2.0% | -443 | -0.6pp |
| Presbyterian | 2,097 | 2.0% | 1.2% | 2,487 | 2.5% | 1.6% | -390 | -0.5pp |
| Baptist | 1,927 | 1.9% | 1.6% | 1,940 | 2.0% | 1.7% | -13 | -0.1pp |
| Hinduism | 1,699 | 1.6% | 2.3% | 1,388 | 1.4% | 1.9% | +311 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 103,495 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 98,055 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +5,440 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.