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 Mornington Peninsula (S), accounting for 48.5% (81,947 people). This share was higher than Greater Melbourne (36.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 21,777 people and 9.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Mornington Peninsula (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Mornington Peninsula (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Melbourne and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Mornington Peninsula (S), with comparison markers for Greater Melbourne.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
81,947
% of total
48.5%
Change from 2016
+9.7pp
81,947
48.5%
+9.7pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
31,022
% of total
18.4%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
31,022
18.4%
-2.1pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
21,319
% of total
12.6%
Change from 2016
-3.8pp
21,319
12.6%
-3.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
11,482
% of total
6.8%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
11,482
6.8%
-1.7pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
5,018
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
5,018
3.0%
-0.8pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
3,189
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
3,189
1.9%
-0.9pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
2,766
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
2,766
1.6%
-0.4pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
2,276
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
2,276
1.3%
+0.2pp
Baptist
2021 count
2,031
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
2,031
1.2%
-0.1pp
Buddhism
2021 count
1,108
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
1,108
0.7%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+21,777
+9.7pp
Western Catholic
-756
-2.1pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-4,046
-3.8pp
Not stated
-1,636
-1.7pp
Uniting Church
-937
-0.8pp
Presbyterian
-1,097
-0.9pp
Christianity, nfd
-259
-0.4pp
Greek Orthodox
+543
+0.2pp
Baptist
+35
-0.1pp
Buddhism
-102
-0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Mornington Peninsula (S). 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 | 81,947 | 48.5% | 36.9% | 60,170 | 38.8% | 31.0% | +21,777 | +9.7pp |
| Western Catholic | 31,022 | 18.4% | 20.5% | 31,778 | 20.5% | 23.2% | -756 | -2.1pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 21,319 | 12.6% | 5.5% | 25,365 | 16.4% | 7.6% | -4,046 | -3.8pp |
| Not stated | 11,482 | 6.8% | 5.8% | 13,118 | 8.5% | 8.6% | -1,636 | -1.7pp |
| Uniting Church | 5,018 | 3.0% | 1.7% | 5,955 | 3.8% | 2.3% | -937 | -0.8pp |
| Presbyterian | 3,189 | 1.9% | 1.1% | 4,286 | 2.8% | 1.5% | -1,097 | -0.9pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 2,766 | 1.6% | 2.7% | 3,025 | 2.0% | 2.6% | -259 | -0.4pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 2,276 | 1.3% | 3.3% | 1,733 | 1.1% | 3.5% | +543 | +0.2pp |
| Baptist | 2,031 | 1.2% | 1.3% | 1,996 | 1.3% | 1.3% | +35 | -0.1pp |
| Buddhism | 1,108 | 0.7% | 3.9% | 1,210 | 0.8% | 3.8% | -102 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 168,963 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 154,997 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +13,966 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.