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, Western Catholic was the most common religious affiliation among residents in Epping (Vic.), accounting for 22.5% (7,539 people). This share was lower than Whittlesea (C) (24%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 1,214 people and 3.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Epping (Vic.) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Epping (Vic.) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Whittlesea (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Epping (Vic.), with comparison markers for Whittlesea (C).
Western Catholic
2021 count
7,539
% of total
22.5%
Change from 2016
-2.9pp
7,539
22.5%
-2.9pp
No Religion, so described
2021 count
6,481
% of total
19.4%
Change from 2016
+3.1pp
6,481
19.4%
+3.1pp
Islam
2021 count
4,165
% of total
12.4%
Change from 2016
+2.3pp
4,165
12.4%
+2.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
2,587
% of total
7.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
2,587
7.7%
+0.1pp
Hinduism
2021 count
2,305
% of total
6.9%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
2,305
6.9%
+0.8pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
1,839
% of total
5.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
1,839
5.5%
+0.1pp
Sikhism
2021 count
1,506
% of total
4.5%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
1,506
4.5%
-0.7pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
1,491
% of total
4.5%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
1,491
4.5%
+0.3pp
Macedonian Orthodox
2021 count
1,174
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
1,174
3.5%
-0.3pp
Buddhism
2021 count
1,133
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
1,133
3.4%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Western Catholic
-690
-2.9pp
No Religion, so described
+1,214
+3.1pp
Islam
+901
+2.3pp
Not stated
+118
+0.1pp
Hinduism
+341
+0.8pp
Greek Orthodox
+85
+0.1pp
Sikhism
-165
-0.7pp
Christianity, nfd
+135
+0.3pp
Macedonian Orthodox
-69
-0.3pp
Buddhism
-7
-0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Epping (Vic.). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Whittlesea (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Whittlesea (C)% | Count | % | Whittlesea (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Western Catholic | 7,539 | 22.5% | 24.0% | 8,229 | 25.4% | 27.5% | -690 | -2.9pp |
| No Religion, so described | 6,481 | 19.4% | 24.0% | 5,267 | 16.3% | 20.1% | +1,214 | +3.1pp |
| Islam | 4,165 | 12.4% | 9.0% | 3,264 | 10.1% | 7.4% | +901 | +2.3pp |
| Not stated | 2,587 | 7.7% | 5.5% | 2,469 | 7.6% | 7.3% | +118 | +0.1pp |
| Hinduism | 2,305 | 6.9% | 6.2% | 1,964 | 6.1% | 4.2% | +341 | +0.8pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 1,839 | 5.5% | 5.7% | 1,754 | 5.4% | 6.3% | +85 | +0.1pp |
| Sikhism | 1,506 | 4.5% | 3.7% | 1,671 | 5.2% | 2.9% | -165 | -0.7pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 1,491 | 4.5% | 4.2% | 1,356 | 4.2% | 4.0% | +135 | +0.3pp |
| Macedonian Orthodox | 1,174 | 3.5% | 3.1% | 1,243 | 3.8% | 3.4% | -69 | -0.3pp |
| Buddhism | 1,133 | 3.4% | 3.3% | 1,140 | 3.5% | 3.3% | -7 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 33,460 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 32,383 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,077 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.