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 Richmond (Vic.), accounting for 53.8% (15,371 people). This share was lower than Yarra (C) (58.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 3,118 people and 9.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Richmond (Vic.) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Richmond (Vic.) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Yarra (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Richmond (Vic.), with comparison markers for Yarra (C).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
15,371
% of total
53.8%
Change from 2016
+9.6pp
15,371
53.8%
+9.6pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
4,734
% of total
16.6%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
4,734
16.6%
-1.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,639
% of total
5.7%
Change from 2016
-4.8pp
1,639
5.7%
-4.8pp
Buddhism
2021 count
1,378
% of total
4.8%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
1,378
4.8%
-0.9pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
1,298
% of total
4.5%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
1,298
4.5%
-1.3pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
1,262
% of total
4.4%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
1,262
4.4%
-0.2pp
Islam
2021 count
488
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
488
1.7%
+0.1pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
367
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
367
1.3%
-0.1pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
304
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
304
1.1%
-0.3pp
Hinduism
2021 count
262
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
262
0.9%
0.0pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+3,118
+9.6pp
Western Catholic
-330
-1.7pp
Not stated
-1,284
-4.8pp
Buddhism
-195
-0.9pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-323
-1.3pp
Greek Orthodox
-18
-0.2pp
Islam
+42
+0.1pp
Christianity, nfd
-18
-0.1pp
Uniting Church
-91
-0.3pp
Hinduism
+6
0.0pp
Data table
Religion for Richmond (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 | 15,371 | 53.8% | 58.6% | 12,253 | 44.2% | 48.7% | +3,118 | +9.6pp |
| Western Catholic | 4,734 | 16.6% | 14.2% | 5,064 | 18.3% | 16.2% | -330 | -1.7pp |
| Not stated | 1,639 | 5.7% | 6.2% | 2,923 | 10.5% | 11.8% | -1,284 | -4.8pp |
| Buddhism | 1,378 | 4.8% | 3.4% | 1,573 | 5.7% | 4.0% | -195 | -0.9pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 1,298 | 4.5% | 3.9% | 1,621 | 5.8% | 5.1% | -323 | -1.3pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 1,262 | 4.4% | 3.0% | 1,280 | 4.6% | 3.2% | -18 | -0.2pp |
| Islam | 488 | 1.7% | 2.4% | 446 | 1.6% | 2.3% | +42 | +0.1pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 367 | 1.3% | 1.2% | 385 | 1.4% | 1.3% | -18 | -0.1pp |
| Uniting Church | 304 | 1.1% | 1.0% | 395 | 1.4% | 1.3% | -91 | -0.3pp |
| Hinduism | 262 | 0.9% | 0.8% | 256 | 0.9% | 0.7% | +6 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 28,575 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 27,715 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +860 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.