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 Stonnington (C), accounting for 44.2% (46,331 people). This share was higher than Greater Melbourne (36.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 8,067 people and 7.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Stonnington (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Stonnington (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Melbourne and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Stonnington (C), with comparison markers for Greater Melbourne.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
46,331
% of total
44.2%
Change from 2016
+7.3pp
46,331
44.2%
+7.3pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
18,248
% of total
17.4%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
18,248
17.4%
-1.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
9,691
% of total
9.3%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
9,691
9.3%
-1.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
6,492
% of total
6.2%
Change from 2016
-4.4pp
6,492
6.2%
-4.4pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
4,754
% of total
4.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
4,754
4.5%
+0.1pp
Judaism
2021 count
4,523
% of total
4.3%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
4,523
4.3%
+0.4pp
Hinduism
2021 count
2,499
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
2,499
2.4%
+0.1pp
Buddhism
2021 count
2,327
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
2,327
2.2%
-0.2pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
1,922
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
1,922
1.8%
-0.5pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
1,390
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
1,390
1.3%
0.0pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+8,067
+7.3pp
Western Catholic
-1,028
-1.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-1,608
-1.6pp
Not stated
-4,523
-4.4pp
Greek Orthodox
+162
+0.1pp
Judaism
+436
+0.4pp
Hinduism
+60
+0.1pp
Buddhism
-148
-0.2pp
Uniting Church
-511
-0.5pp
Christianity, nfd
+82
0.0pp
Data table
Religion for Stonnington (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 | 46,331 | 44.2% | 36.9% | 38,264 | 36.9% | 31.0% | +8,067 | +7.3pp |
| Western Catholic | 18,248 | 17.4% | 20.5% | 19,276 | 18.6% | 23.2% | -1,028 | -1.2pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 9,691 | 9.3% | 5.5% | 11,299 | 10.9% | 7.6% | -1,608 | -1.6pp |
| Not stated | 6,492 | 6.2% | 5.8% | 11,015 | 10.6% | 8.6% | -4,523 | -4.4pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 4,754 | 4.5% | 3.3% | 4,592 | 4.4% | 3.5% | +162 | +0.1pp |
| Judaism | 4,523 | 4.3% | 0.9% | 4,087 | 3.9% | 0.9% | +436 | +0.4pp |
| Hinduism | 2,499 | 2.4% | 4.1% | 2,439 | 2.3% | 2.9% | +60 | +0.1pp |
| Buddhism | 2,327 | 2.2% | 3.9% | 2,475 | 2.4% | 3.8% | -148 | -0.2pp |
| Uniting Church | 1,922 | 1.8% | 1.7% | 2,433 | 2.3% | 2.3% | -511 | -0.5pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 1,390 | 1.3% | 2.7% | 1,308 | 1.3% | 2.6% | +82 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 104,708 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 103,797 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +911 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.