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 Yarra (C), accounting for 58.6% (52,809 people). This share was higher than Greater Melbourne (36.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 10,618 people and 9.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Yarra (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Yarra (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Melbourne and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Yarra (C), with comparison markers for Greater Melbourne.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
52,809
% of total
58.6%
Change from 2016
+9.9pp
52,809
58.6%
+9.9pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
12,810
% of total
14.2%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
12,810
14.2%
-2.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
5,570
% of total
6.2%
Change from 2016
-5.6pp
5,570
6.2%
-5.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
3,534
% of total
3.9%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
3,534
3.9%
-1.2pp
Buddhism
2021 count
3,042
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
3,042
3.4%
-0.6pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
2,693
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
2,693
3.0%
-0.2pp
Islam
2021 count
2,188
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
2,188
2.4%
+0.1pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
1,089
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
1,089
1.2%
-0.1pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
881
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
881
1.0%
-0.3pp
Hinduism
2021 count
684
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
684
0.8%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+10,618
+9.9pp
Western Catholic
-1,263
-2.0pp
Not stated
-4,613
-5.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-843
-1.2pp
Buddhism
-385
-0.6pp
Greek Orthodox
-84
-0.2pp
Islam
+191
+0.1pp
Christianity, nfd
-68
-0.1pp
Uniting Church
-210
-0.3pp
Hinduism
+118
+0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Yarra (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 | 52,809 | 58.6% | 36.9% | 42,191 | 48.7% | 31.0% | +10,618 | +9.9pp |
| Western Catholic | 12,810 | 14.2% | 20.5% | 14,073 | 16.2% | 23.2% | -1,263 | -2.0pp |
| Not stated | 5,570 | 6.2% | 5.8% | 10,183 | 11.8% | 8.6% | -4,613 | -5.6pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 3,534 | 3.9% | 5.5% | 4,377 | 5.1% | 7.6% | -843 | -1.2pp |
| Buddhism | 3,042 | 3.4% | 3.9% | 3,427 | 4.0% | 3.8% | -385 | -0.6pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 2,693 | 3.0% | 3.3% | 2,777 | 3.2% | 3.5% | -84 | -0.2pp |
| Islam | 2,188 | 2.4% | 5.3% | 1,997 | 2.3% | 4.2% | +191 | +0.1pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 1,089 | 1.2% | 2.7% | 1,157 | 1.3% | 2.6% | -68 | -0.1pp |
| Uniting Church | 881 | 1.0% | 1.7% | 1,091 | 1.3% | 2.3% | -210 | -0.3pp |
| Hinduism | 684 | 0.8% | 4.1% | 566 | 0.7% | 2.9% | +118 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 90,124 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 86,634 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +3,490 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.