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 (Vic.), accounting for 37.7% (3,743 people). This share was lower than Stonnington (C) (44.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 544 people and 5.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Malvern (Vic.) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Malvern (Vic.) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Stonnington (C) and change since 2016.
This area boundary has changed from 2016 to 2021. As a result, 2016 values are mapped onto 2021 suburb boundaries using ABS concordance.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Malvern (Vic.), with comparison markers for Stonnington (C).
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Anglican Church of Australia
Judaism
Not stated
Greek Orthodox
Uniting Church
Hinduism
Buddhism
Christianity, nfd
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+544
+5.9pp
Western Catholic
-85
-0.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-256
-2.3pp
Judaism
+114
+1.3pp
Not stated
-358
-3.5pp
Greek Orthodox
+38
+0.4pp
Uniting Church
-66
-0.6pp
Hinduism
+8
+0.1pp
Buddhism
0
0.0pp
Christianity, nfd
+15
+0.2pp
Data table
Religion for Malvern (Vic.). 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 | 3,743 | 37.7% | 44.2% | 3,199 | 31.8% | 36.9% | +544 | +5.9pp |
| Western Catholic | 1,846 | 18.6% | 17.4% | 1,931 | 19.2% | 18.6% | -85 | -0.6pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 1,443 | 14.6% | 9.3% | 1,699 | 16.9% | 10.9% | -256 | -2.3pp |
| Judaism | 720 | 7.3% | 4.3% | 606 | 6.0% | 3.9% | +114 | +1.3pp |
| Not stated | 547 | 5.5% | 6.2% | 905 | 9.0% | 10.6% | -358 | -3.5pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 419 | 4.2% | 4.5% | 381 | 3.8% | 4.4% | +38 | +0.4pp |
| Uniting Church | 291 | 2.9% | 1.8% | 357 | 3.5% | 2.3% | -66 | -0.6pp |
| Hinduism | 181 | 1.8% | 2.4% | 173 | 1.7% | 2.3% | +8 | +0.1pp |
| Buddhism | 127 | 1.3% | 2.2% | 127 | 1.3% | 2.4% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 126 | 1.3% | 1.3% | 111 | 1.1% | 1.3% | +15 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 9,917 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 10,070 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -153 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.