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 Wyndham (C), accounting for 23.1% (67,553 people). This share was lower than Greater Melbourne (36.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Hinduism, which increased by 23,824 people and 5.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Wyndham (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Wyndham (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Melbourne and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Wyndham (C), with comparison markers for Greater Melbourne.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
67,553
% of total
23.1%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
67,553
23.1%
+0.4pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
52,854
% of total
18.1%
Change from 2016
-5.8pp
52,854
18.1%
-5.8pp
Hinduism
2021 count
42,465
% of total
14.5%
Change from 2016
+5.9pp
42,465
14.5%
+5.9pp
Islam
2021 count
28,941
% of total
9.9%
Change from 2016
+2.6pp
28,941
9.9%
+2.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
20,095
% of total
6.9%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
20,095
6.9%
-1.1pp
Sikhism
2021 count
17,856
% of total
6.1%
Change from 2016
+2.7pp
17,856
6.1%
+2.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
11,506
% of total
3.9%
Change from 2016
-2.8pp
11,506
3.9%
-2.8pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
10,427
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
10,427
3.6%
+0.3pp
Buddhism
2021 count
8,062
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
8,062
2.8%
+0.1pp
Baptist
2021 count
5,216
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
5,216
1.8%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+18,287
+0.4pp
Western Catholic
+911
-5.8pp
Hinduism
+23,824
+5.9pp
Islam
+13,038
+2.6pp
Not stated
+2,680
-1.1pp
Sikhism
+10,501
+2.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-2,971
-2.8pp
Christianity, nfd
+3,319
+0.3pp
Buddhism
+2,169
+0.1pp
Baptist
+842
-0.2pp
Data table
Religion for Wyndham (C). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Melbourne.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Melbourne% | Count | % | Greater Melbourne% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 67,553 | 23.1% | 36.9% | 49,266 | 22.7% | 31.0% | +18,287 | +0.4pp |
| Western Catholic | 52,854 | 18.1% | 20.5% | 51,943 | 23.9% | 23.2% | +911 | -5.8pp |
| Hinduism | 42,465 | 14.5% | 4.1% | 18,641 | 8.6% | 2.9% | +23,824 | +5.9pp |
| Islam | 28,941 | 9.9% | 5.3% | 15,903 | 7.3% | 4.2% | +13,038 | +2.6pp |
| Not stated | 20,095 | 6.9% | 5.8% | 17,415 | 8.0% | 8.6% | +2,680 | -1.1pp |
| Sikhism | 17,856 | 6.1% | 1.7% | 7,355 | 3.4% | 1.1% | +10,501 | +2.7pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 11,506 | 3.9% | 5.5% | 14,477 | 6.7% | 7.6% | -2,971 | -2.8pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 10,427 | 3.6% | 2.7% | 7,108 | 3.3% | 2.6% | +3,319 | +0.3pp |
| Buddhism | 8,062 | 2.8% | 3.9% | 5,893 | 2.7% | 3.8% | +2,169 | +0.1pp |
| Baptist | 5,216 | 1.8% | 1.3% | 4,374 | 2.0% | 1.3% | +842 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 292,046 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 217,090 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +74,956 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.