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 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
Western Catholic
Anglican Church of Australia
Judaism
Not stated
Greek Orthodox
Buddhism
Uniting Church
Hinduism
Presbyterian
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.