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 Nillumbik (S), accounting for 49.6% (31,173 people). This share was higher than Greater Melbourne (36.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 6,191 people and 8.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Nillumbik (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Nillumbik (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Melbourne and change since 2016.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Nillumbik (S), with comparison markers for Greater Melbourne.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
31,173
% of total
49.6%
Change from 2016
+8.8pp
31,173
49.6%
+8.8pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
13,687
% of total
21.8%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
13,687
21.8%
-2.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
5,123
% of total
8.1%
Change from 2016
-2.6pp
5,123
8.1%
-2.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
2,480
% of total
3.9%
Change from 2016
-3.5pp
2,480
3.9%
-3.5pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
1,523
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
1,523
2.4%
-0.8pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
1,325
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
1,325
2.1%
+0.1pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
1,300
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
1,300
2.1%
-0.1pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
916
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
916
1.5%
-0.3pp
Baptist
2021 count
867
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
867
1.4%
0.0pp
Buddhism
2021 count
609
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
609
1.0%
+0.1pp
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+6,191
+8.8pp
Western Catholic
-1,004
-2.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-1,416
-2.6pp
Not stated
-2,067
-3.5pp
Uniting Church
-408
-0.8pp
Greek Orthodox
+100
+0.1pp
Christianity, nfd
-71
-0.1pp
Presbyterian
-172
-0.3pp
Baptist
-9
0.0pp
Buddhism
+61
+0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Nillumbik (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 | 31,173 | 49.6% | 36.9% | 24,982 | 40.8% | 31.0% | +6,191 | +8.8pp |
| Western Catholic | 13,687 | 21.8% | 20.5% | 14,691 | 24.0% | 23.2% | -1,004 | -2.2pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 5,123 | 8.1% | 5.5% | 6,539 | 10.7% | 7.6% | -1,416 | -2.6pp |
| Not stated | 2,480 | 3.9% | 5.8% | 4,547 | 7.4% | 8.6% | -2,067 | -3.5pp |
| Uniting Church | 1,523 | 2.4% | 1.7% | 1,931 | 3.2% | 2.3% | -408 | -0.8pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 1,325 | 2.1% | 3.3% | 1,225 | 2.0% | 3.5% | +100 | +0.1pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 1,300 | 2.1% | 2.7% | 1,371 | 2.2% | 2.6% | -71 | -0.1pp |
| Presbyterian | 916 | 1.5% | 1.1% | 1,088 | 1.8% | 1.5% | -172 | -0.3pp |
| Baptist | 867 | 1.4% | 1.3% | 876 | 1.4% | 1.3% | -9 | 0.0pp |
| Buddhism | 609 | 1.0% | 3.9% | 548 | 0.9% | 3.8% | +61 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 62,910 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 61,246 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,664 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.