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 Essendon West, accounting for 43.5% (673 people). This share was higher than Moonee Valley (C) (36.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 60 people and 1.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Essendon West - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Essendon West in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Moonee Valley (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Essendon West, with comparison markers for Moonee Valley (C).
Western Catholic
2021 count
673
% of total
43.5%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
673
43.5%
-2.0pp
No Religion, so described
2021 count
396
% of total
25.6%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
396
25.6%
+1.9pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
81
% of total
5.2%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
81
5.2%
-1.9pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
67
% of total
4.3%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
67
4.3%
+1.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
53
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
-3.9pp
53
3.4%
-3.9pp
Islam
2021 count
42
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
42
2.7%
+1.5pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
40
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
40
2.6%
-1.0pp
Buddhism
2021 count
32
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
32
2.1%
+0.5pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
26
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
26
1.7%
+0.4pp
Hinduism
2021 count
26
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
26
1.7%
+0.9pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Western Catholic
+28
-2.0pp
No Religion, so described
+60
+1.9pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-20
-1.9pp
Greek Orthodox
+26
+1.4pp
Not stated
-50
-3.9pp
Islam
+25
+1.5pp
Uniting Church
-11
-1.0pp
Buddhism
+9
+0.5pp
Christianity, nfd
+7
+0.4pp
Hinduism
+14
+0.9pp
Data table
Religion for Essendon West. 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 | 673 | 43.5% | 36.1% | 645 | 45.5% | 37.7% | +28 | -2.0pp |
| No Religion, so described | 396 | 25.6% | 31.9% | 336 | 23.7% | 25.9% | +60 | +1.9pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 81 | 5.2% | 4.5% | 101 | 7.1% | 5.5% | -20 | -1.9pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 67 | 4.3% | 4.8% | 41 | 2.9% | 4.6% | +26 | +1.4pp |
| Not stated | 53 | 3.4% | 4.8% | 103 | 7.3% | 8.4% | -50 | -3.9pp |
| Islam | 42 | 2.7% | 3.4% | 17 | 1.2% | 2.9% | +25 | +1.5pp |
| Uniting Church | 40 | 2.6% | 1.7% | 51 | 3.6% | 2.2% | -11 | -1.0pp |
| Buddhism | 32 | 2.1% | 2.5% | 23 | 1.6% | 2.5% | +9 | +0.5pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 26 | 1.7% | 1.8% | 19 | 1.3% | 1.6% | +7 | +0.4pp |
| Hinduism | 26 | 1.7% | 2.3% | 12 | 0.8% | 2.1% | +14 | +0.9pp |
| Total | 1,546 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,419 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +127 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.