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 Lalor, accounting for 22.1% (5,134 people). This share was lower than Whittlesea (C) (24%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 3,843 people, while its share fell by 13.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Lalor - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Lalor in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Whittlesea (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Lalor, with comparison markers for Whittlesea (C).
Western Catholic
2021 count
5,134
% of total
22.1%
Change from 2016
-
5,134
22.1%
-
No Religion, so described
2021 count
3,849
% of total
16.6%
Change from 2016
-13.4pp
3,849
16.6%
-13.4pp
Islam
2021 count
3,572
% of total
15.4%
Change from 2016
-
3,572
15.4%
-
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
2,092
% of total
9.0%
Change from 2016
-
2,092
9.0%
-
Not stated
2021 count
1,540
% of total
6.6%
Change from 2016
-13.4pp
1,540
6.6%
-13.4pp
Hinduism
2021 count
1,281
% of total
5.5%
Change from 2016
-
1,281
5.5%
-
Buddhism
2021 count
1,248
% of total
5.4%
Change from 2016
-
1,248
5.4%
-
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
1,086
% of total
4.7%
Change from 2016
-
1,086
4.7%
-
Macedonian Orthodox
2021 count
1,042
% of total
4.5%
Change from 2016
-
1,042
4.5%
-
Sikhism
2021 count
654
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
-
654
2.8%
-
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+3,843
-13.4pp
Not stated
+1,536
-13.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
+410
-28.2pp
Uniting Church
+79
-19.6pp
Data table
Religion for Lalor. 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 | 5,134 | 22.1% | 24.0% | - | - | 27.5% | - | - |
| No Religion, so described | 3,849 | 16.6% | 24.0% | 6 | 30.0% | 20.1% | +3,843 | -13.4pp |
| Islam | 3,572 | 15.4% | 9.0% | - | - | 7.4% | - | - |
| Greek Orthodox | 2,092 | 9.0% | 5.7% | - | - | 6.3% | - | - |
| Not stated | 1,540 | 6.6% | 5.5% | 4 | 20.0% | 7.3% | +1,536 | -13.4pp |
| Hinduism | 1,281 | 5.5% | 6.2% | - | - | 4.2% | - | - |
| Buddhism | 1,248 | 5.4% | 3.3% | - | - | 3.3% | - | - |
| Christianity, nfd | 1,086 | 4.7% | 4.2% | - | - | 4.0% | - | - |
| Macedonian Orthodox | 1,042 | 4.5% | 3.1% | - | - | 3.4% | - | - |
| Sikhism | 654 | 2.8% | 3.7% | - | - | 2.9% | - | - |
| Total | 23,233 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 20 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +23,213 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.