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 Prahran, accounting for 52.3% (6,383 people). This share was higher than Stonnington (C) (44.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 855 people and 9.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Prahran - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Prahran in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Stonnington (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Prahran, with comparison markers for Stonnington (C).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
6,383
% of total
52.3%
Change from 2016
+9.7pp
6,383
52.3%
+9.7pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
1,789
% of total
14.7%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
1,789
14.7%
-1.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
792
% of total
6.5%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
792
6.5%
-1.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
775
% of total
6.4%
Change from 2016
-7.0pp
775
6.4%
-7.0pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
687
% of total
5.6%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
687
5.6%
-0.2pp
Judaism
2021 count
396
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
396
3.2%
+0.7pp
Buddhism
2021 count
197
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
197
1.6%
-0.3pp
Hinduism
2021 count
174
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
174
1.4%
+0.1pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
163
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
163
1.3%
+0.3pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
149
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
149
1.2%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+855
+9.7pp
Western Catholic
-276
-1.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-233
-1.4pp
Not stated
-959
-7.0pp
Greek Orthodox
-67
-0.2pp
Judaism
+71
+0.7pp
Buddhism
-55
-0.3pp
Hinduism
+10
+0.1pp
Christianity, nfd
+39
+0.3pp
Uniting Church
-31
-0.2pp
Data table
Religion for Prahran. 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 | 6,383 | 52.3% | 44.2% | 5,528 | 42.6% | 36.9% | +855 | +9.7pp |
| Western Catholic | 1,789 | 14.7% | 17.4% | 2,065 | 15.9% | 18.6% | -276 | -1.2pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 792 | 6.5% | 9.3% | 1,025 | 7.9% | 10.9% | -233 | -1.4pp |
| Not stated | 775 | 6.4% | 6.2% | 1,734 | 13.4% | 10.6% | -959 | -7.0pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 687 | 5.6% | 4.5% | 754 | 5.8% | 4.4% | -67 | -0.2pp |
| Judaism | 396 | 3.2% | 4.3% | 325 | 2.5% | 3.9% | +71 | +0.7pp |
| Buddhism | 197 | 1.6% | 2.2% | 252 | 1.9% | 2.4% | -55 | -0.3pp |
| Hinduism | 174 | 1.4% | 2.4% | 164 | 1.3% | 2.3% | +10 | +0.1pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 163 | 1.3% | 1.3% | 124 | 1.0% | 1.3% | +39 | +0.3pp |
| Uniting Church | 149 | 1.2% | 1.8% | 180 | 1.4% | 2.3% | -31 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 12,201 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 12,973 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -772 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.