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, accounting for 36.5% (7,762 people). This share was higher than Moonee Valley (C) (36.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 1,557 people and 6.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Essendon - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Essendon 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, with comparison markers for Moonee Valley (C).
Western Catholic
2021 count
7,762
% of total
36.5%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
7,762
36.5%
-2.0pp
No Religion, so described
2021 count
6,791
% of total
32.0%
Change from 2016
+6.6pp
6,791
32.0%
+6.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
1,039
% of total
4.9%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
1,039
4.9%
-1.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
984
% of total
4.6%
Change from 2016
-3.9pp
984
4.6%
-3.9pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
930
% of total
4.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
930
4.4%
+0.2pp
Hinduism
2021 count
765
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
765
3.6%
-0.2pp
Islam
2021 count
505
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
505
2.4%
+1.0pp
Buddhism
2021 count
457
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
457
2.2%
+0.6pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
448
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
448
2.1%
-0.7pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
316
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
316
1.5%
0.0pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Western Catholic
-163
-2.0pp
No Religion, so described
+1,557
+6.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-223
-1.2pp
Not stated
-772
-3.9pp
Greek Orthodox
+70
+0.2pp
Hinduism
-20
-0.2pp
Islam
+220
+1.0pp
Buddhism
+125
+0.6pp
Uniting Church
-129
-0.7pp
Christianity, nfd
+5
0.0pp
Data table
Religion for Essendon. 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 | 7,762 | 36.5% | 36.1% | 7,925 | 38.5% | 37.7% | -163 | -2.0pp |
| No Religion, so described | 6,791 | 32.0% | 31.9% | 5,234 | 25.4% | 25.9% | +1,557 | +6.6pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 1,039 | 4.9% | 4.5% | 1,262 | 6.1% | 5.5% | -223 | -1.2pp |
| Not stated | 984 | 4.6% | 4.8% | 1,756 | 8.5% | 8.4% | -772 | -3.9pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 930 | 4.4% | 4.8% | 860 | 4.2% | 4.6% | +70 | +0.2pp |
| Hinduism | 765 | 3.6% | 2.3% | 785 | 3.8% | 2.1% | -20 | -0.2pp |
| Islam | 505 | 2.4% | 3.4% | 285 | 1.4% | 2.9% | +220 | +1.0pp |
| Buddhism | 457 | 2.2% | 2.5% | 332 | 1.6% | 2.5% | +125 | +0.6pp |
| Uniting Church | 448 | 2.1% | 1.7% | 577 | 2.8% | 2.2% | -129 | -0.7pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 316 | 1.5% | 1.8% | 311 | 1.5% | 1.6% | +5 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 21,243 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 20,608 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +635 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.