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 South Morang, accounting for 31.1% (7,773 people). This share was higher than Whittlesea (C) (24%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 1,414 people and 5 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
South Morang - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for South Morang in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Whittlesea (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for South Morang, with comparison markers for Whittlesea (C).
Western Catholic
2021 count
7,773
% of total
31.1%
Change from 2016
-2.4pp
7,773
31.1%
-2.4pp
No Religion, so described
2021 count
6,058
% of total
24.3%
Change from 2016
+5.0pp
6,058
24.3%
+5.0pp
Hinduism
2021 count
1,368
% of total
5.5%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
1,368
5.5%
+0.7pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
1,344
% of total
5.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
1,344
5.4%
+0.1pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
1,198
% of total
4.8%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
1,198
4.8%
+0.4pp
Islam
2021 count
1,102
% of total
4.4%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
1,102
4.4%
+0.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,036
% of total
4.1%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
1,036
4.1%
-1.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
1,014
% of total
4.1%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
1,014
4.1%
-1.6pp
Macedonian Orthodox
2021 count
894
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
894
3.6%
-0.1pp
Buddhism
2021 count
552
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
552
2.2%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Western Catholic
-284
-2.4pp
No Religion, so described
+1,414
+5.0pp
Hinduism
+217
+0.7pp
Greek Orthodox
+70
+0.1pp
Christianity, nfd
+137
+0.4pp
Islam
+240
+0.8pp
Not stated
-287
-1.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-356
-1.6pp
Macedonian Orthodox
+5
-0.1pp
Buddhism
+67
+0.2pp
Data table
Religion for South Morang. 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 | 7,773 | 31.1% | 24.0% | 8,057 | 33.5% | 27.5% | -284 | -2.4pp |
| No Religion, so described | 6,058 | 24.3% | 24.0% | 4,644 | 19.3% | 20.1% | +1,414 | +5.0pp |
| Hinduism | 1,368 | 5.5% | 6.2% | 1,151 | 4.8% | 4.2% | +217 | +0.7pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 1,344 | 5.4% | 5.7% | 1,274 | 5.3% | 6.3% | +70 | +0.1pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 1,198 | 4.8% | 4.2% | 1,061 | 4.4% | 4.0% | +137 | +0.4pp |
| Islam | 1,102 | 4.4% | 9.0% | 862 | 3.6% | 7.4% | +240 | +0.8pp |
| Not stated | 1,036 | 4.1% | 5.5% | 1,323 | 5.5% | 7.3% | -287 | -1.4pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 1,014 | 4.1% | 3.5% | 1,370 | 5.7% | 5.1% | -356 | -1.6pp |
| Macedonian Orthodox | 894 | 3.6% | 3.1% | 889 | 3.7% | 3.4% | +5 | -0.1pp |
| Buddhism | 552 | 2.2% | 3.3% | 485 | 2.0% | 3.3% | +67 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 24,967 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 24,071 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +896 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.