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 Toorak, accounting for 36.7% (4,686 people). This share was lower than Stonnington (C) (44.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 693 people and 5.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Toorak - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Toorak in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Stonnington (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Toorak, with comparison markers for Stonnington (C).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
4,686
% of total
36.7%
Change from 2016
+5.8pp
4,686
36.7%
+5.8pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
2,098
% of total
16.4%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
2,098
16.4%
-1.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
1,675
% of total
13.1%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
1,675
13.1%
-1.8pp
Judaism
2021 count
1,251
% of total
9.8%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
1,251
9.8%
+0.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
987
% of total
7.7%
Change from 2016
-3.6pp
987
7.7%
-3.6pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
367
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
367
2.9%
+0.6pp
Buddhism
2021 count
288
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
288
2.3%
+0.1pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
277
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
277
2.2%
-0.2pp
Hinduism
2021 count
223
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
223
1.7%
+0.1pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
195
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
195
1.5%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+693
+5.8pp
Western Catholic
-174
-1.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-249
-1.8pp
Judaism
+46
+0.5pp
Not stated
-471
-3.6pp
Greek Orthodox
+65
+0.6pp
Buddhism
-2
+0.1pp
Uniting Church
-31
-0.2pp
Hinduism
+12
+0.1pp
Presbyterian
-31
-0.2pp
Data table
Religion for Toorak. 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 | 4,686 | 36.7% | 44.2% | 3,993 | 30.9% | 36.9% | +693 | +5.8pp |
| Western Catholic | 2,098 | 16.4% | 17.4% | 2,272 | 17.6% | 18.6% | -174 | -1.2pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 1,675 | 13.1% | 9.3% | 1,924 | 14.9% | 10.9% | -249 | -1.8pp |
| Judaism | 1,251 | 9.8% | 4.3% | 1,205 | 9.3% | 3.9% | +46 | +0.5pp |
| Not stated | 987 | 7.7% | 6.2% | 1,458 | 11.3% | 10.6% | -471 | -3.6pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 367 | 2.9% | 4.5% | 302 | 2.3% | 4.4% | +65 | +0.6pp |
| Buddhism | 288 | 2.3% | 2.2% | 290 | 2.2% | 2.4% | -2 | +0.1pp |
| Uniting Church | 277 | 2.2% | 1.8% | 308 | 2.4% | 2.3% | -31 | -0.2pp |
| Hinduism | 223 | 1.7% | 2.4% | 211 | 1.6% | 2.3% | +12 | +0.1pp |
| Presbyterian | 195 | 1.5% | 1.1% | 226 | 1.7% | 1.4% | -31 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 12,785 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 12,919 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -134 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.