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 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.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Yarra Ranges (S), with comparison markers for Greater Melbourne.
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Anglican Church of Australia
Not stated
Christianity, nfd
Uniting Church
Baptist
Presbyterian
Buddhism
Pentecostal, nfd
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.