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, No religion was the most common religious affiliation among residents in Brunswick East, accounting for 62.6% (8,295 people). This share was higher than Moreland (C) (40.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 2,325 people and 10.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Brunswick East - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Brunswick East in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Moreland (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Brunswick East, with comparison markers for Moreland (C).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
8,295
% of total
62.6%
Change from 2016
+10.7pp
8,295
62.6%
+10.7pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
1,969
% of total
14.9%
Change from 2016
-3.8pp
1,969
14.9%
-3.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
630
% of total
4.8%
Change from 2016
-4.5pp
630
4.8%
-4.5pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
481
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
481
3.6%
-0.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
300
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
300
2.3%
-0.4pp
Buddhism
2021 count
268
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
268
2.0%
-0.3pp
Islam
2021 count
245
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
245
1.8%
-0.2pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
169
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
169
1.3%
+0.1pp
Hinduism
2021 count
165
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
165
1.2%
-0.4pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
91
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
91
0.7%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+2,325
+10.7pp
Western Catholic
-180
-3.8pp
Not stated
-439
-4.5pp
Greek Orthodox
-6
-0.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-16
-0.4pp
Buddhism
+2
-0.3pp
Islam
+16
-0.2pp
Christianity, nfd
+27
+0.1pp
Hinduism
-21
-0.4pp
Uniting Church
-7
-0.2pp
Data table
Religion for Brunswick East. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Moreland (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Moreland (C)% | Count | % | Moreland (C)% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 8,295 | 62.6% | 40.4% | 5,970 | 51.9% | 31.9% | +2,325 | +10.7pp |
| Western Catholic | 1,969 | 14.9% | 22.9% | 2,149 | 18.7% | 26.6% | -180 | -3.8pp |
| Not stated | 630 | 4.8% | 5.4% | 1,069 | 9.3% | 8.6% | -439 | -4.5pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 481 | 3.6% | 5.4% | 487 | 4.2% | 5.9% | -6 | -0.6pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 300 | 2.3% | 2.7% | 316 | 2.7% | 3.7% | -16 | -0.4pp |
| Buddhism | 268 | 2.0% | 2.1% | 266 | 2.3% | 2.1% | +2 | -0.3pp |
| Islam | 245 | 1.8% | 9.8% | 229 | 2.0% | 9.8% | +16 | -0.2pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 169 | 1.3% | 1.4% | 142 | 1.2% | 1.4% | +27 | +0.1pp |
| Hinduism | 165 | 1.2% | 3.6% | 186 | 1.6% | 3.0% | -21 | -0.4pp |
| Uniting Church | 91 | 0.7% | 0.9% | 98 | 0.9% | 1.2% | -7 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 13,251 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 11,496 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,755 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.