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, Islam was the most common religious affiliation among residents in Fawkner (part), accounting for 34.5% (4,932 people). This share was higher than Moreland (C) (9.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Western Catholic, which decreased by 813 people and 6.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Fawkner (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Fawkner (part) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Moreland (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Fawkner (part), with comparison markers for Moreland (C).
Islam
2021 count
4,932
% of total
34.5%
Change from 2016
+2.6pp
4,932
34.5%
+2.6pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
3,711
% of total
26.0%
Change from 2016
-6.3pp
3,711
26.0%
-6.3pp
No Religion, so described
2021 count
2,104
% of total
14.7%
Change from 2016
+4.6pp
2,104
14.7%
+4.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,020
% of total
7.1%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
1,020
7.1%
-0.5pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
624
% of total
4.4%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
624
4.4%
-1.3pp
Hinduism
2021 count
599
% of total
4.2%
Change from 2016
+2.0pp
599
4.2%
+2.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
230
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
230
1.6%
-0.2pp
Buddhism
2021 count
216
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
216
1.5%
-0.2pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
165
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
165
1.2%
0.0pp
Chaldean Catholic
2021 count
71
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
71
0.5%
-0.3pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Islam
+456
+2.6pp
Western Catholic
-813
-6.3pp
No Religion, so described
+693
+4.6pp
Not stated
-43
-0.5pp
Greek Orthodox
-172
-1.3pp
Hinduism
+294
+2.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-18
-0.2pp
Buddhism
-16
-0.2pp
Christianity, nfd
+2
0.0pp
Chaldean Catholic
-40
-0.3pp
Data table
Religion for Fawkner (part). 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 | |
| Islam | 4,932 | 34.5% | 9.8% | 4,476 | 31.9% | 9.8% | +456 | +2.6pp |
| Western Catholic | 3,711 | 26.0% | 22.9% | 4,524 | 32.3% | 26.6% | -813 | -6.3pp |
| No Religion, so described | 2,104 | 14.7% | 40.4% | 1,411 | 10.1% | 31.9% | +693 | +4.6pp |
| Not stated | 1,020 | 7.1% | 5.4% | 1,063 | 7.6% | 8.6% | -43 | -0.5pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 624 | 4.4% | 5.4% | 796 | 5.7% | 5.9% | -172 | -1.3pp |
| Hinduism | 599 | 4.2% | 3.6% | 305 | 2.2% | 3.0% | +294 | +2.0pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 230 | 1.6% | 2.7% | 248 | 1.8% | 3.7% | -18 | -0.2pp |
| Buddhism | 216 | 1.5% | 2.1% | 232 | 1.7% | 2.1% | -16 | -0.2pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 165 | 1.2% | 1.4% | 163 | 1.2% | 1.4% | +2 | 0.0pp |
| Chaldean Catholic | 71 | 0.5% | 0.1% | 111 | 0.8% | 0.1% | -40 | -0.3pp |
| Total | 14,298 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 14,025 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +273 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.