Cultural diversity
Religion
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.
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 Port Phillip (C), accounting for 50.1% (51,020 people). This share was higher than Greater Melbourne (36.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 8,379 people and 7.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Port Phillip (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Port Phillip (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Melbourne and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Port Phillip (C), with comparison markers for Greater Melbourne.
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Not stated
Anglican Church of Australia
Greek Orthodox
Judaism
Hinduism
Buddhism
Christianity, nfd
Islam
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+8,379
+7.8pp
Western Catholic
-775
-0.9pp
Not stated
-5,315
-5.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-1,275
-1.3pp
Greek Orthodox
+160
+0.2pp
Judaism
-124
-0.2pp
Hinduism
+126
+0.1pp
Buddhism
-83
-0.1pp
Christianity, nfd
+185
+0.2pp
Islam
+297
+0.2pp
Data table
Religion for Port Phillip (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 | 51,020 | 50.1% | 36.9% | 42,641 | 42.3% | 31.0% | +8,379 | +7.8pp |
| Western Catholic | 16,897 | 16.6% | 20.5% | 17,672 | 17.5% | 23.2% | -775 | -0.9pp |
| Not stated | 7,992 | 7.8% | 5.8% | 13,307 | 13.2% | 8.6% | -5,315 | -5.4pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 5,787 | 5.7% | 5.5% | 7,062 | 7.0% | 7.6% | -1,275 | -1.3pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 3,626 | 3.6% | 3.3% | 3,466 | 3.4% | 3.5% | +160 | +0.2pp |
| Judaism | 3,408 | 3.3% | 0.9% | 3,532 | 3.5% | 0.9% | -124 | -0.2pp |
| Hinduism | 2,103 | 2.1% | 4.1% | 1,977 | 2.0% | 2.9% | +126 | +0.1pp |
| Buddhism | 1,750 | 1.7% | 3.9% | 1,833 | 1.8% | 3.8% | -83 | -0.1pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 1,524 | 1.5% | 2.7% | 1,339 | 1.3% | 2.6% | +185 | +0.2pp |
| Islam | 1,365 | 1.3% | 5.3% | 1,068 | 1.1% | 4.2% | +297 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 101,891 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 100,857 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,034 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.