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, 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 No religion, which increased by 689 people and 3.5 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.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Thomastown, with comparison markers for Whittlesea (C).
Western Catholic
No Religion, so described
Islam
Greek Orthodox
Buddhism
Not stated
Hinduism
Macedonian Orthodox
Christianity, nfd
Sikhism
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Western Catholic
-640
-2.9pp
No Religion, so described
+689
+3.5pp
Islam
+285
+1.6pp
Greek Orthodox
-140
-0.6pp
Buddhism
-60
-0.2pp
Not stated
-387
-1.8pp
Hinduism
+266
+1.3pp
Macedonian Orthodox
+15
+0.1pp
Christianity, nfd
+15
+0.1pp
Sikhism
-145
-0.7pp
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% | 5,174 | 25.3% | 27.5% | -640 | -2.9pp |
| No Religion, so described | 3,285 | 16.2% | 24.0% | 2,596 | 12.7% | 20.1% | +689 | +3.5pp |
| Islam | 3,075 | 15.2% | 9.0% | 2,790 | 13.6% | 7.4% | +285 | +1.6pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 1,807 | 8.9% | 5.7% | 1,947 | 9.5% | 6.3% | -140 | -0.6pp |
| Buddhism | 1,334 | 6.6% | 3.3% | 1,394 | 6.8% | 3.3% | -60 | -0.2pp |
| Not stated | 1,112 | 5.5% | 5.5% | 1,499 | 7.3% | 7.3% | -387 | -1.8pp |
| Hinduism | 1,082 | 5.3% | 6.2% | 816 | 4.0% | 4.2% | +266 | +1.3pp |
| Macedonian Orthodox | 1,050 | 5.2% | 3.1% | 1,035 | 5.1% | 3.4% | +15 | +0.1pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 948 | 4.7% | 4.2% | 933 | 4.6% | 4.0% | +15 | +0.1pp |
| Sikhism | 637 | 3.1% | 3.7% | 782 | 3.8% | 2.9% | -145 | -0.7pp |
| Total | 20,250 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 20,481 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -231 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.