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 Moreland (C), accounting for 40.4% (69,270 people). This share was higher than Greater Melbourne (36.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 17,410 people and 8.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Moreland (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Moreland (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Melbourne and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Moreland (C), with comparison markers for Greater Melbourne.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
69,270
% of total
40.4%
Change from 2016
+8.5pp
69,270
40.4%
+8.5pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
39,225
% of total
22.9%
Change from 2016
-3.7pp
39,225
22.9%
-3.7pp
Islam
2021 count
16,748
% of total
9.8%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
16,748
9.8%
0.0pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
9,335
% of total
5.4%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
9,335
5.4%
-0.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
9,171
% of total
5.4%
Change from 2016
-3.2pp
9,171
5.4%
-3.2pp
Hinduism
2021 count
6,191
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
6,191
3.6%
+0.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
4,585
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
4,585
2.7%
-1.0pp
Buddhism
2021 count
3,514
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
3,514
2.1%
0.0pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
2,374
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
2,374
1.4%
0.0pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
1,532
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
1,532
0.9%
-0.3pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+17,410
+8.5pp
Western Catholic
-3,958
-3.7pp
Islam
+899
0.0pp
Greek Orthodox
-279
-0.5pp
Not stated
-4,746
-3.2pp
Hinduism
+1,389
+0.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-1,411
-1.0pp
Buddhism
+124
0.0pp
Christianity, nfd
+164
0.0pp
Uniting Church
-486
-0.3pp
Data table
Religion for Moreland (C). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Melbourne.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Melbourne% | Count | % | Greater Melbourne% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 69,270 | 40.4% | 36.9% | 51,860 | 31.9% | 31.0% | +17,410 | +8.5pp |
| Western Catholic | 39,225 | 22.9% | 20.5% | 43,183 | 26.6% | 23.2% | -3,958 | -3.7pp |
| Islam | 16,748 | 9.8% | 5.3% | 15,849 | 9.8% | 4.2% | +899 | 0.0pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 9,335 | 5.4% | 3.3% | 9,614 | 5.9% | 3.5% | -279 | -0.5pp |
| Not stated | 9,171 | 5.4% | 5.8% | 13,917 | 8.6% | 8.6% | -4,746 | -3.2pp |
| Hinduism | 6,191 | 3.6% | 4.1% | 4,802 | 3.0% | 2.9% | +1,389 | +0.6pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 4,585 | 2.7% | 5.5% | 5,996 | 3.7% | 7.6% | -1,411 | -1.0pp |
| Buddhism | 3,514 | 2.1% | 3.9% | 3,390 | 2.1% | 3.8% | +124 | 0.0pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 2,374 | 1.4% | 2.7% | 2,210 | 1.4% | 2.6% | +164 | 0.0pp |
| Uniting Church | 1,532 | 0.9% | 1.7% | 2,018 | 1.2% | 2.3% | -486 | -0.3pp |
| Total | 171,337 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 162,550 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +8,787 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.