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, Western Catholic was the most common religious affiliation among residents in Avondale Heights, accounting for 44.7% (5,534 people). This share was higher than Moonee Valley (C) (36.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 753 people and 5 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Avondale Heights - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Avondale Heights in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Moonee Valley (C) and change since 2016.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Avondale Heights, with comparison markers for Moonee Valley (C).
Western Catholic
No Religion, so described
Greek Orthodox
Buddhism
Not stated
Anglican Church of Australia
Islam
Christianity, nfd
Hinduism
Macedonian Orthodox
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Western Catholic
+191
-1.2pp
No Religion, so described
+753
+5.0pp
Greek Orthodox
+14
-0.3pp
Buddhism
+31
0.0pp
Not stated
-356
-3.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-39
-0.6pp
Islam
+95
+0.6pp
Christianity, nfd
+3
-0.1pp
Hinduism
+35
+0.2pp
Macedonian Orthodox
+22
+0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Avondale Heights. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Moonee Valley (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Moonee Valley (C)% | Count | % | Moonee Valley (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Western Catholic | 5,534 | 44.7% | 36.1% | 5,343 | 45.9% | 37.7% | +191 | -1.2pp |
| No Religion, so described | 2,726 | 22.0% | 31.9% | 1,973 | 17.0% | 25.9% | +753 | +5.0pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 888 | 7.2% | 4.8% | 874 | 7.5% | 4.6% | +14 | -0.3pp |
| Buddhism | 545 | 4.4% | 2.5% | 514 | 4.4% | 2.5% | +31 | 0.0pp |
| Not stated | 530 | 4.3% | 4.8% | 886 | 7.6% | 8.4% | -356 | -3.3pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 386 | 3.1% | 4.5% | 425 | 3.7% | 5.5% | -39 | -0.6pp |
| Islam | 351 | 2.8% | 3.4% | 256 | 2.2% | 2.9% | +95 | +0.6pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 255 | 2.1% | 1.8% | 252 | 2.2% | 1.6% | +3 | -0.1pp |
| Hinduism | 163 | 1.3% | 2.3% | 128 | 1.1% | 2.1% | +35 | +0.2pp |
| Macedonian Orthodox | 147 | 1.2% | 0.4% | 125 | 1.1% | 0.3% | +22 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 12,369 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 11,633 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +736 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.