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, No religion was the most common religious affiliation among residents in Whittlesea, accounting for 44.9% (2,745 people). This share was higher than Whittlesea (C) (24%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 842 people and 10.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Whittlesea - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Whittlesea in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Whittlesea (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Whittlesea, with comparison markers for Whittlesea (C).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
2,745
% of total
44.9%
Change from 2016
+10.9pp
2,745
44.9%
+10.9pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
1,466
% of total
24.0%
Change from 2016
-3.5pp
1,466
24.0%
-3.5pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
564
% of total
9.2%
Change from 2016
-4.0pp
564
9.2%
-4.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
377
% of total
6.2%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
377
6.2%
-1.9pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
190
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
190
3.1%
-0.6pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
159
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
159
2.6%
-0.4pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
146
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
146
2.4%
-0.3pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
99
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
99
1.6%
+0.2pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
72
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
72
1.2%
-0.1pp
Buddhism
2021 count
41
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
41
0.7%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+842
+10.9pp
Western Catholic
-72
-3.5pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-172
-4.0pp
Not stated
-78
-1.9pp
Uniting Church
-18
-0.6pp
Presbyterian
-7
-0.4pp
Christianity, nfd
-4
-0.3pp
Greek Orthodox
+20
+0.2pp
Pentecostal, nfd
-1
-0.1pp
Buddhism
+15
+0.2pp
Data table
Religion for Whittlesea. 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 | 2,745 | 44.9% | 24.0% | 1,903 | 34.0% | 20.1% | +842 | +10.9pp |
| Western Catholic | 1,466 | 24.0% | 24.0% | 1,538 | 27.5% | 27.5% | -72 | -3.5pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 564 | 9.2% | 3.5% | 736 | 13.2% | 5.1% | -172 | -4.0pp |
| Not stated | 377 | 6.2% | 5.5% | 455 | 8.1% | 7.3% | -78 | -1.9pp |
| Uniting Church | 190 | 3.1% | 0.9% | 208 | 3.7% | 1.3% | -18 | -0.6pp |
| Presbyterian | 159 | 2.6% | 0.9% | 166 | 3.0% | 1.2% | -7 | -0.4pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 146 | 2.4% | 4.2% | 150 | 2.7% | 4.0% | -4 | -0.3pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 99 | 1.6% | 5.7% | 79 | 1.4% | 6.3% | +20 | +0.2pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 72 | 1.2% | 1.0% | 73 | 1.3% | 1.0% | -1 | -0.1pp |
| Buddhism | 41 | 0.7% | 3.3% | 26 | 0.5% | 3.3% | +15 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 6,115 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,590 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +525 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.