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
No Religion, so described
Islam
Not stated
Hinduism
Greek Orthodox
Sikhism
Christianity, nfd
Macedonian Orthodox
Buddhism
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.