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 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.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Malvern East, with comparison markers for Stonnington (C).
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Anglican Church of Australia
Greek Orthodox
Not stated
Hinduism
Judaism
Buddhism
Uniting Church
Christianity, nfd
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.