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 Moira (S), accounting for 37.4% (11,419 people). This share was lower than Regional Vic. (44.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 3,852 people and 11.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Moira (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Moira (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Vic. and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Moira (S), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
No Religion, so described
2021 count
11,419
% of total
37.4%
Change from 2016
+11.4pp
11,419
37.4%
+11.4pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
7,699
% of total
25.2%
Change from 2016
-3.5pp
7,699
25.2%
-3.5pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
3,821
% of total
12.5%
Change from 2016
-3.3pp
3,821
12.5%
-3.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
2,534
% of total
8.3%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
2,534
8.3%
-1.4pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
1,871
% of total
6.1%
Change from 2016
-2.4pp
1,871
6.1%
-2.4pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
875
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
875
2.9%
-1.1pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
399
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
399
1.3%
+0.1pp
Buddhism
2021 count
289
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
289
0.9%
+0.3pp
Islam
2021 count
216
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
216
0.7%
+0.1pp
Baptist
2021 count
186
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
186
0.6%
0.0pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+3,852
+11.4pp
Western Catholic
-654
-3.5pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-766
-3.3pp
Not stated
-300
-1.4pp
Uniting Church
-606
-2.4pp
Presbyterian
-302
-1.1pp
Christianity, nfd
+37
+0.1pp
Buddhism
+125
+0.3pp
Islam
+29
+0.1pp
Baptist
+1
0.0pp
Data table
Religion for Moira (S). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Vic..
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Vic.% | Count | % | Regional Vic.% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 11,419 | 37.4% | 44.9% | 7,567 | 26.0% | 33.7% | +3,852 | +11.4pp |
| Western Catholic | 7,699 | 25.2% | 19.7% | 8,353 | 28.7% | 22.7% | -654 | -3.5pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 3,821 | 12.5% | 9.8% | 4,587 | 15.8% | 13.3% | -766 | -3.3pp |
| Not stated | 2,534 | 8.3% | 7.7% | 2,834 | 9.7% | 9.8% | -300 | -1.4pp |
| Uniting Church | 1,871 | 6.1% | 4.7% | 2,477 | 8.5% | 6.5% | -606 | -2.4pp |
| Presbyterian | 875 | 2.9% | 2.2% | 1,177 | 4.0% | 3.2% | -302 | -1.1pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 399 | 1.3% | 2.1% | 362 | 1.2% | 2.1% | +37 | +0.1pp |
| Buddhism | 289 | 0.9% | 0.9% | 164 | 0.6% | 0.8% | +125 | +0.3pp |
| Islam | 216 | 0.7% | 0.9% | 187 | 0.6% | 0.7% | +29 | +0.1pp |
| Baptist | 186 | 0.6% | 1.2% | 185 | 0.6% | 1.3% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 30,517 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 29,100 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,417 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.