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
Western Catholic
Anglican Church of Australia
Not stated
Christianity, nfd
Buddhism
Uniting Church
Presbyterian
Baptist
Hinduism
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.