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 Malvern East, accounting for 39.6% (8,817 people). This share was lower than Stonnington (C) (44.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 1,325 people and 5.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Malvern East - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Malvern East in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Stonnington (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Malvern East, with comparison markers for Stonnington (C).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
8,817
% of total
39.6%
Change from 2016
+5.1pp
8,817
39.6%
+5.1pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
4,816
% of total
21.6%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
4,816
21.6%
-0.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
1,975
% of total
8.9%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
1,975
8.9%
-1.5pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
1,592
% of total
7.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
1,592
7.1%
-0.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,046
% of total
4.7%
Change from 2016
-2.8pp
1,046
4.7%
-2.8pp
Hinduism
2021 count
690
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
690
3.1%
+1.0pp
Judaism
2021 count
623
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
623
2.8%
+0.3pp
Buddhism
2021 count
566
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
566
2.5%
-0.3pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
498
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
498
2.2%
-0.6pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
331
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
331
1.5%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+1,325
+5.1pp
Western Catholic
+9
-0.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-278
-1.5pp
Greek Orthodox
+22
-0.1pp
Not stated
-591
-2.8pp
Hinduism
+243
+1.0pp
Judaism
+70
+0.3pp
Buddhism
-48
-0.3pp
Uniting Church
-115
-0.6pp
Christianity, nfd
+21
+0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Malvern East. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Stonnington (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Stonnington (C)% | Count | % | Stonnington (C)% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 8,817 | 39.6% | 44.2% | 7,492 | 34.5% | 36.9% | +1,325 | +5.1pp |
| Western Catholic | 4,816 | 21.6% | 17.4% | 4,807 | 22.2% | 18.6% | +9 | -0.6pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 1,975 | 8.9% | 9.3% | 2,253 | 10.4% | 10.9% | -278 | -1.5pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 1,592 | 7.1% | 4.5% | 1,570 | 7.2% | 4.4% | +22 | -0.1pp |
| Not stated | 1,046 | 4.7% | 6.2% | 1,637 | 7.5% | 10.6% | -591 | -2.8pp |
| Hinduism | 690 | 3.1% | 2.4% | 447 | 2.1% | 2.3% | +243 | +1.0pp |
| Judaism | 623 | 2.8% | 4.3% | 553 | 2.5% | 3.9% | +70 | +0.3pp |
| Buddhism | 566 | 2.5% | 2.2% | 614 | 2.8% | 2.4% | -48 | -0.3pp |
| Uniting Church | 498 | 2.2% | 1.8% | 613 | 2.8% | 2.3% | -115 | -0.6pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 331 | 1.5% | 1.3% | 310 | 1.4% | 1.3% | +21 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 22,287 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 21,694 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +593 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.