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 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
No Religion, so described
Anglican Church of Australia
Greek Orthodox
Not stated
Islam
Uniting Church
Buddhism
Christianity, nfd
Hinduism
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.