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 Western Catholic, which increased by 655 people and 29.7 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
+29.7pp
673
43.5%
+29.7pp
No Religion, so described
2021 count
396
% of total
25.6%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
396
25.6%
-1.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
81
% of total
5.2%
Change from 2016
-3.3pp
81
5.2%
-3.3pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
67
% of total
4.3%
Change from 2016
-
67
4.3%
-
Not stated
2021 count
53
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
-21.2pp
53
3.4%
-21.2pp
Islam
2021 count
42
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
-
42
2.7%
-
Uniting Church
2021 count
40
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
-7.4pp
40
2.6%
-7.4pp
Buddhism
2021 count
32
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-
32
2.1%
-
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
26
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
26
1.7%
-2.1pp
Hinduism
2021 count
26
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-
26
1.7%
-
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Western Catholic
+655
+29.7pp
No Religion, so described
+361
-1.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
+70
-3.3pp
Not stated
+21
-21.2pp
Uniting Church
+27
-7.4pp
Christianity, nfd
+21
-2.1pp
Presbyterian
+1
-8.4pp
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% | 18 | 13.8% | 37.7% | +655 | +29.7pp |
| No Religion, so described | 396 | 25.6% | 31.9% | 35 | 26.9% | 25.9% | +361 | -1.3pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 81 | 5.2% | 4.5% | 11 | 8.5% | 5.5% | +70 | -3.3pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 67 | 4.3% | 4.8% | - | - | 4.6% | - | - |
| Not stated | 53 | 3.4% | 4.8% | 32 | 24.6% | 8.4% | +21 | -21.2pp |
| Islam | 42 | 2.7% | 3.4% | - | - | 2.9% | - | - |
| Uniting Church | 40 | 2.6% | 1.7% | 13 | 10.0% | 2.2% | +27 | -7.4pp |
| Buddhism | 32 | 2.1% | 2.5% | - | - | 2.5% | - | - |
| Christianity, nfd | 26 | 1.7% | 1.8% | 5 | 3.8% | 1.6% | +21 | -2.1pp |
| Hinduism | 26 | 1.7% | 2.3% | - | - | 2.1% | - | - |
| Total | 1,546 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 130 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,416 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.