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 Western Catholic, which increased by 7,698 people, while its share fell by 34.7 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
-34.7pp
7,773
31.1%
-34.7pp
No Religion, so described
2021 count
6,058
% of total
24.3%
Change from 2016
+19.0pp
6,058
24.3%
+19.0pp
Hinduism
2021 count
1,368
% of total
5.5%
Change from 2016
-
1,368
5.5%
-
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
1,344
% of total
5.4%
Change from 2016
-
1,344
5.4%
-
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
-
1,102
4.4%
-
Not stated
2021 count
1,036
% of total
4.1%
Change from 2016
-12.6pp
1,036
4.1%
-12.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
1,014
% of total
4.1%
Change from 2016
-3.8pp
1,014
4.1%
-3.8pp
Macedonian Orthodox
2021 count
894
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
-
894
3.6%
-
Buddhism
2021 count
552
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
-
552
2.2%
-
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Western Catholic
+7,698
-34.7pp
No Religion, so described
+6,052
+19.0pp
Christianity, nfd
+1,193
+0.4pp
Not stated
+1,017
-12.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
+1,005
-3.8pp
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% | 75 | 65.8% | 27.5% | +7,698 | -34.7pp |
| No Religion, so described | 6,058 | 24.3% | 24.0% | 6 | 5.3% | 20.1% | +6,052 | +19.0pp |
| Hinduism | 1,368 | 5.5% | 6.2% | - | - | 4.2% | - | - |
| Greek Orthodox | 1,344 | 5.4% | 5.7% | - | - | 6.3% | - | - |
| Christianity, nfd | 1,198 | 4.8% | 4.2% | 5 | 4.4% | 4.0% | +1,193 | +0.4pp |
| Islam | 1,102 | 4.4% | 9.0% | - | - | 7.4% | - | - |
| Not stated | 1,036 | 4.1% | 5.5% | 19 | 16.7% | 7.3% | +1,017 | -12.6pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 1,014 | 4.1% | 3.5% | 9 | 7.9% | 5.1% | +1,005 | -3.8pp |
| Macedonian Orthodox | 894 | 3.6% | 3.1% | - | - | 3.4% | - | - |
| Buddhism | 552 | 2.2% | 3.3% | - | - | 3.3% | - | - |
| Total | 24,967 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 114 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +24,853 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.