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 Mernda, accounting for 28.2% (6,588 people). This share was higher than Whittlesea (C) (24%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 2,311 people and 2.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Mernda - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Mernda in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Whittlesea (C) and change since 2016.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Mernda, with comparison markers for Whittlesea (C).
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Hinduism
Islam
Not stated
Anglican Church of Australia
Christianity, nfd
Sikhism
Greek Orthodox
Buddhism
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+2,311
+2.2pp
Western Catholic
+878
-4.2pp
Hinduism
+1,345
+4.2pp
Islam
+616
+1.5pp
Not stated
-224
-3.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-52
-2.1pp
Christianity, nfd
+341
+0.4pp
Sikhism
+594
+1.9pp
Greek Orthodox
+191
-0.5pp
Buddhism
+288
+0.5pp
Data table
Religion for Mernda. 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 | |
| No Religion, so described | 6,588 | 28.2% | 24.0% | 4,277 | 26.0% | 20.1% | +2,311 | +2.2pp |
| Western Catholic | 5,317 | 22.8% | 24.0% | 4,439 | 27.0% | 27.5% | +878 | -4.2pp |
| Hinduism | 2,201 | 9.4% | 6.2% | 856 | 5.2% | 4.2% | +1,345 | +4.2pp |
| Islam | 1,239 | 5.3% | 9.0% | 623 | 3.8% | 7.4% | +616 | +1.5pp |
| Not stated | 1,067 | 4.6% | 5.5% | 1,291 | 7.9% | 7.3% | -224 | -3.3pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 978 | 4.2% | 3.5% | 1,030 | 6.3% | 5.1% | -52 | -2.1pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 948 | 4.1% | 4.2% | 607 | 3.7% | 4.0% | +341 | +0.4pp |
| Sikhism | 948 | 4.1% | 3.7% | 354 | 2.2% | 2.9% | +594 | +1.9pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 928 | 4.0% | 5.7% | 737 | 4.5% | 6.3% | +191 | -0.5pp |
| Buddhism | 679 | 2.9% | 3.3% | 391 | 2.4% | 3.3% | +288 | +0.5pp |
| Total | 23,332 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 16,431 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +6,901 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.