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, No religion was the most common religious affiliation among residents in Abbotsford (Vic.), accounting for 59.8% (5,417 people). This share was higher than Yarra (C) (58.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 1,400 people and 10.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Abbotsford (Vic.) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Abbotsford (Vic.) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Yarra (C) and change since 2016.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Abbotsford (Vic.), with comparison markers for Yarra (C).
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Not stated
Buddhism
Anglican Church of Australia
Greek Orthodox
Hinduism
Christianity, nfd
Islam
Judaism
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+1,400
+10.7pp
Western Catholic
+37
-1.1pp
Not stated
-350
-5.0pp
Buddhism
-51
-1.1pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-112
-1.7pp
Greek Orthodox
-40
-0.8pp
Hinduism
+22
+0.1pp
Christianity, nfd
+4
-0.1pp
Islam
-16
-0.3pp
Judaism
+37
+0.4pp
Data table
Religion for Abbotsford (Vic.). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Yarra (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Yarra (C)% | Count | % | Yarra (C)% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 5,417 | 59.8% | 58.6% | 4,017 | 49.1% | 48.7% | +1,400 | +10.7pp |
| Western Catholic | 1,251 | 13.8% | 14.2% | 1,214 | 14.9% | 16.2% | +37 | -1.1pp |
| Not stated | 595 | 6.6% | 6.2% | 945 | 11.6% | 11.8% | -350 | -5.0pp |
| Buddhism | 432 | 4.8% | 3.4% | 483 | 5.9% | 4.0% | -51 | -1.1pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 269 | 3.0% | 3.9% | 381 | 4.7% | 5.1% | -112 | -1.7pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 203 | 2.2% | 3.0% | 243 | 3.0% | 3.2% | -40 | -0.8pp |
| Hinduism | 130 | 1.4% | 0.8% | 108 | 1.3% | 0.7% | +22 | +0.1pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 112 | 1.2% | 1.2% | 108 | 1.3% | 1.3% | +4 | -0.1pp |
| Islam | 92 | 1.0% | 2.4% | 108 | 1.3% | 2.3% | -16 | -0.3pp |
| Judaism | 78 | 0.9% | 0.7% | 41 | 0.5% | 0.6% | +37 | +0.4pp |
| Total | 9,052 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 8,173 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +879 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.