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 Malvern (SA), accounting for 42.3% (1,145 people). This share was lower than Unley (C) (47.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 270 people and 8.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Malvern (SA) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Malvern (SA) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Unley (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Malvern (SA), with comparison markers for Unley (C).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
1,145
% of total
42.3%
Change from 2016
+8.1pp
1,145
42.3%
+8.1pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
463
% of total
17.1%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
463
17.1%
+1.1pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
309
% of total
11.4%
Change from 2016
-4.1pp
309
11.4%
-4.1pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
188
% of total
6.9%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
188
6.9%
+1.3pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
138
% of total
5.1%
Change from 2016
-3.0pp
138
5.1%
-3.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
91
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
-4.8pp
91
3.4%
-4.8pp
Lutheran
2021 count
77
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
77
2.8%
-0.6pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
51
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
51
1.9%
+0.1pp
Buddhism
2021 count
36
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
36
1.3%
+0.1pp
Hinduism
2021 count
32
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
32
1.2%
+0.9pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+270
+8.1pp
Western Catholic
+53
+1.1pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-86
-4.1pp
Greek Orthodox
+44
+1.3pp
Uniting Church
-69
-3.0pp
Not stated
-118
-4.8pp
Lutheran
-10
-0.6pp
Christianity, nfd
+4
+0.1pp
Buddhism
+5
+0.1pp
Hinduism
+25
+0.9pp
Data table
Religion for Malvern (SA). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Unley (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Unley (C)% | Count | % | Unley (C)% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 1,145 | 42.3% | 47.1% | 875 | 34.2% | 38.3% | +270 | +8.1pp |
| Western Catholic | 463 | 17.1% | 15.8% | 410 | 16.0% | 17.2% | +53 | +1.1pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 309 | 11.4% | 8.9% | 395 | 15.5% | 11.1% | -86 | -4.1pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 188 | 6.9% | 5.2% | 144 | 5.6% | 5.1% | +44 | +1.3pp |
| Uniting Church | 138 | 5.1% | 4.3% | 207 | 8.1% | 5.6% | -69 | -3.0pp |
| Not stated | 91 | 3.4% | 4.1% | 209 | 8.2% | 8.0% | -118 | -4.8pp |
| Lutheran | 77 | 2.8% | 1.9% | 87 | 3.4% | 2.4% | -10 | -0.6pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 51 | 1.9% | 1.8% | 47 | 1.8% | 1.9% | +4 | +0.1pp |
| Buddhism | 36 | 1.3% | 1.7% | 31 | 1.2% | 1.6% | +5 | +0.1pp |
| Hinduism | 32 | 1.2% | 2.3% | 7 | 0.3% | 1.5% | +25 | +0.9pp |
| Total | 2,706 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,555 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +151 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.