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 Whittlesea (C), accounting for 24% (55,129 people). This share was lower than Greater Melbourne (36.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 15,454 people and 3.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Whittlesea (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Whittlesea (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Melbourne and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Whittlesea (C), with comparison markers for Greater Melbourne.
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Islam
Hinduism
Greek Orthodox
Not stated
Christianity, nfd
Sikhism
Anglican Church of Australia
Buddhism
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+15,454
+3.9pp
Western Catholic
+733
-3.5pp
Islam
+6,206
+1.6pp
Hinduism
+6,063
+2.0pp
Greek Orthodox
+583
-0.6pp
Not stated
-1,838
-1.8pp
Christianity, nfd
+1,728
+0.2pp
Sikhism
+2,733
+0.8pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-2,013
-1.6pp
Buddhism
+1,068
0.0pp
Data table
Religion for Whittlesea (C). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Melbourne.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Melbourne% | Count | % | Greater Melbourne% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 55,129 | 24.0% | 36.9% | 39,675 | 20.1% | 31.0% | +15,454 | +3.9pp |
| Western Catholic | 55,037 | 24.0% | 20.5% | 54,304 | 27.5% | 23.2% | +733 | -3.5pp |
| Islam | 20,731 | 9.0% | 5.3% | 14,525 | 7.4% | 4.2% | +6,206 | +1.6pp |
| Hinduism | 14,332 | 6.2% | 4.1% | 8,269 | 4.2% | 2.9% | +6,063 | +2.0pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 13,062 | 5.7% | 3.3% | 12,479 | 6.3% | 3.5% | +583 | -0.6pp |
| Not stated | 12,519 | 5.5% | 5.8% | 14,357 | 7.3% | 8.6% | -1,838 | -1.8pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 9,616 | 4.2% | 2.7% | 7,888 | 4.0% | 2.6% | +1,728 | +0.2pp |
| Sikhism | 8,508 | 3.7% | 1.7% | 5,775 | 2.9% | 1.1% | +2,733 | +0.8pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 8,132 | 3.5% | 5.5% | 10,145 | 5.1% | 7.6% | -2,013 | -1.6pp |
| Buddhism | 7,637 | 3.3% | 3.9% | 6,569 | 3.3% | 3.8% | +1,068 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 229,434 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 197,501 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +31,933 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.