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 Thomastown, accounting for 22.4% (4,534 people). This share was lower than Whittlesea (C) (24%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Western Catholic, which increased by 4,530 people and 15.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Thomastown - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Thomastown in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Whittlesea (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Thomastown, with comparison markers for Whittlesea (C).
Western Catholic
2021 count
4,534
% of total
22.4%
Change from 2016
+15.1pp
4,534
22.4%
+15.1pp
No Religion, so described
2021 count
3,285
% of total
16.2%
Change from 2016
-36.5pp
3,285
16.2%
-36.5pp
Islam
2021 count
3,075
% of total
15.2%
Change from 2016
-
3,075
15.2%
-
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
1,807
% of total
8.9%
Change from 2016
-
1,807
8.9%
-
Buddhism
2021 count
1,334
% of total
6.6%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
1,334
6.6%
+1.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,112
% of total
5.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
1,112
5.5%
0.0pp
Hinduism
2021 count
1,082
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
-
1,082
5.3%
-
Macedonian Orthodox
2021 count
1,050
% of total
5.2%
Change from 2016
-
1,050
5.2%
-
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
948
% of total
4.7%
Change from 2016
-
948
4.7%
-
Sikhism
2021 count
637
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
-
637
3.1%
-
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Western Catholic
+4,530
+15.1pp
No Religion, so described
+3,256
-36.5pp
Buddhism
+1,331
+1.1pp
Not stated
+1,109
0.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia
+300
-7.6pp
Uniting Church
+108
-12.1pp
Presbyterian
+97
-6.8pp
Data table
Religion for Thomastown. 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 | 4,534 | 22.4% | 24.0% | 4 | 7.3% | 27.5% | +4,530 | +15.1pp |
| No Religion, so described | 3,285 | 16.2% | 24.0% | 29 | 52.7% | 20.1% | +3,256 | -36.5pp |
| Islam | 3,075 | 15.2% | 9.0% | - | - | 7.4% | - | - |
| Greek Orthodox | 1,807 | 8.9% | 5.7% | - | - | 6.3% | - | - |
| Buddhism | 1,334 | 6.6% | 3.3% | 3 | 5.5% | 3.3% | +1,331 | +1.1pp |
| Not stated | 1,112 | 5.5% | 5.5% | 3 | 5.5% | 7.3% | +1,109 | 0.0pp |
| Hinduism | 1,082 | 5.3% | 6.2% | - | - | 4.2% | - | - |
| Macedonian Orthodox | 1,050 | 5.2% | 3.1% | - | - | 3.4% | - | - |
| Christianity, nfd | 948 | 4.7% | 4.2% | - | - | 4.0% | - | - |
| Sikhism | 637 | 3.1% | 3.7% | - | - | 2.9% | - | - |
| Total | 20,250 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 55 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +20,195 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.