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 Ranges (S), accounting for 53.2% (83,104 people). This share was higher than Greater Melbourne (36.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 19,750 people and 10.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Yarra Ranges (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Yarra Ranges (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Melbourne and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Yarra Ranges (S), with comparison markers for Greater Melbourne.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
83,104
% of total
53.2%
Change from 2016
+10.8pp
83,104
53.2%
+10.8pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
23,717
% of total
15.2%
Change from 2016
-2.9pp
23,717
15.2%
-2.9pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
12,120
% of total
7.8%
Change from 2016
-3.1pp
12,120
7.8%
-3.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
8,111
% of total
5.2%
Change from 2016
-3.0pp
8,111
5.2%
-3.0pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
5,779
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
5,779
3.7%
-0.2pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
3,868
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
3,868
2.5%
-0.9pp
Baptist
2021 count
3,835
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
3,835
2.5%
+0.2pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
2,054
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
2,054
1.3%
-0.8pp
Buddhism
2021 count
1,564
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
1,564
1.0%
0.0pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
1,412
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
1,412
0.9%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+19,750
+10.8pp
Western Catholic
-3,299
-2.9pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-4,127
-3.1pp
Not stated
-4,147
-3.0pp
Christianity, nfd
+4
-0.2pp
Uniting Church
-1,289
-0.9pp
Baptist
+423
+0.2pp
Presbyterian
-1,043
-0.8pp
Buddhism
+71
0.0pp
Pentecostal, nfd
-127
-0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Yarra Ranges (S). 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 | 83,104 | 53.2% | 36.9% | 63,354 | 42.4% | 31.0% | +19,750 | +10.8pp |
| Western Catholic | 23,717 | 15.2% | 20.5% | 27,016 | 18.1% | 23.2% | -3,299 | -2.9pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 12,120 | 7.8% | 5.5% | 16,247 | 10.9% | 7.6% | -4,127 | -3.1pp |
| Not stated | 8,111 | 5.2% | 5.8% | 12,258 | 8.2% | 8.6% | -4,147 | -3.0pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 5,779 | 3.7% | 2.7% | 5,775 | 3.9% | 2.6% | +4 | -0.2pp |
| Uniting Church | 3,868 | 2.5% | 1.7% | 5,157 | 3.4% | 2.3% | -1,289 | -0.9pp |
| Baptist | 3,835 | 2.5% | 1.3% | 3,412 | 2.3% | 1.3% | +423 | +0.2pp |
| Presbyterian | 2,054 | 1.3% | 1.1% | 3,097 | 2.1% | 1.5% | -1,043 | -0.8pp |
| Buddhism | 1,564 | 1.0% | 3.9% | 1,493 | 1.0% | 3.8% | +71 | 0.0pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 1,412 | 0.9% | 0.8% | 1,539 | 1.0% | 0.9% | -127 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 156,088 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 149,532 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +6,556 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.