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 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.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Moonee Valley (C), with comparison markers for Greater Melbourne.
Western Catholic
No Religion, so described
Greek Orthodox
Not stated
Anglican Church of Australia
Islam
Buddhism
Hinduism
Christianity, nfd
Uniting Church
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.