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 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.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Yarra (C), with comparison markers for Greater Melbourne.
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Not stated
Anglican Church of Australia
Buddhism
Greek Orthodox
Islam
Christianity, nfd
Uniting Church
Hinduism
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.