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 Moonee Valley (C), accounting for 36.1% (43,947 people). This share was higher than Greater Melbourne (20.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 8,591 people and 6 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Moonee Valley (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Moonee Valley (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Melbourne and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Moonee Valley (C), with comparison markers for Greater Melbourne.
Western Catholic
2021 count
43,947
% of total
36.1%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
43,947
36.1%
-1.6pp
No Religion, so described
2021 count
38,836
% of total
31.9%
Change from 2016
+6.0pp
38,836
31.9%
+6.0pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
5,874
% of total
4.8%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
5,874
4.8%
+0.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
5,872
% of total
4.8%
Change from 2016
-3.6pp
5,872
4.8%
-3.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
5,458
% of total
4.5%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
5,458
4.5%
-1.0pp
Islam
2021 count
4,189
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
4,189
3.4%
+0.5pp
Buddhism
2021 count
3,086
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
3,086
2.5%
0.0pp
Hinduism
2021 count
2,805
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
2,805
2.3%
+0.2pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
2,237
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
2,237
1.8%
+0.2pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
2,075
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
2,075
1.7%
-0.5pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Western Catholic
-95
-1.6pp
No Religion, so described
+8,591
+6.0pp
Greek Orthodox
+515
+0.2pp
Not stated
-3,982
-3.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-1,017
-1.0pp
Islam
+766
+0.5pp
Buddhism
+224
0.0pp
Hinduism
+371
+0.2pp
Christianity, nfd
+320
+0.2pp
Uniting Church
-471
-0.5pp
Data table
Religion for Moonee Valley (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 | 43,947 | 36.1% | 20.5% | 44,042 | 37.7% | 23.2% | -95 | -1.6pp |
| No Religion, so described | 38,836 | 31.9% | 36.9% | 30,245 | 25.9% | 31.0% | +8,591 | +6.0pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 5,874 | 4.8% | 3.3% | 5,359 | 4.6% | 3.5% | +515 | +0.2pp |
| Not stated | 5,872 | 4.8% | 5.8% | 9,854 | 8.4% | 8.6% | -3,982 | -3.6pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 5,458 | 4.5% | 5.5% | 6,475 | 5.5% | 7.6% | -1,017 | -1.0pp |
| Islam | 4,189 | 3.4% | 5.3% | 3,423 | 2.9% | 4.2% | +766 | +0.5pp |
| Buddhism | 3,086 | 2.5% | 3.9% | 2,862 | 2.5% | 3.8% | +224 | 0.0pp |
| Hinduism | 2,805 | 2.3% | 4.1% | 2,434 | 2.1% | 2.9% | +371 | +0.2pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 2,237 | 1.8% | 2.7% | 1,917 | 1.6% | 2.6% | +320 | +0.2pp |
| Uniting Church | 2,075 | 1.7% | 1.7% | 2,546 | 2.2% | 2.3% | -471 | -0.5pp |
| Total | 121,841 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 116,686 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +5,155 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.