There are several factors which encourage new immigrants to settle in the same area. They usually find friends in such areas. They can draw on the resources appropriate for their religion such as appropriate food and clothing. Muslims and Jews will look for places where halal and kosher food are available. Immigrants may gather around their places of worship. Orthodox Jews, for example, need to live within walking distance of a synagogue as driving or using public transport on the Sabbath is not permitted. Settling close to other immigrants assists them in finding cultural, linguistic and social support. Have immigrants of particular religious groups settled in concentrated areas, or have they diffused into the wider society? Is there a chance that 'religious ghettos' are developing in Australia?

The Christian Research Association undertook a study of the 1996 National Housing and Population Census data with Prof Gary Bouma (Monash University) to examine the concentration of religious groups. They took the criteria used to identify ghettos in the United States of America: where a homogeneous minority group constitutes more than 80 per cent of the population.

It was found that only in one area covered by the Census was there more than 60 per cent of a particular religious group. This one place was the Cocos Islands which is mainly Muslim people.

A more in-depth study was undertaken for Victoria using postcode as the unit of measure. It was found that different religious groups do have quite different patterns of settlement. As one person in every four in Victoria is Catholic, it is not surprising to find Catholics in every postcode throughout the State. However, the highest proportion of them in any particular area was in Fawkner, a north suburb of Melbourne. The Catholics living in Fawkner came from a variety of ethnic backgrounds. There is no evidence of increasing Catholic concentrations.
Anglicans and Uniting Church people are also spread widely, but concentrations of them are found more in rural areas reflecting patterns of settlement among immigrants several generations ago. In areas where there is a very small population, it is easier to attain a high concentration. The highest concentration of Uniting Church people is 51% at Lascelles in the Mallee and of Anglicans 42% at South Carrajung, South Gippsland. Several other denominations have their places in highest concentration in small rural towns: Lutherans (29.6% at Allenby south the Big Desert); Baptists (10.1% at Barraport near Kerang); the Presbyterians (25.8% at Lismore between Colac and Ballarat); and the Salvation Army (2.4% at Nhill, Western Victoria).

Urban Concentration

The Orthodox have tended to concentrate in the western and northern suburbs of Melbourne. There are 24 postcodes with more than 2000 Orthodox people. However, the highest concentration is 29.7% at Thomastown.

Muslims have tended to concentrate in the northern suburbs of Melbourne. There are five postcodes with more than 2,500 Muslims. The highest concentration is at Campbellfield where they represent 26.6% of the population.

There are several areas where Buddhists have concentrated: particularly in the inner suburbs to north and east of the Melbourne central business district. The highest concentration is in the south-east, however, at Springvale, where they make up 17.2% of the population.

Hindus are well spread in various of the city of Melbourne. Only in two postcodes were there more than 500 Hindu residents. The most concentrated region for Hindus is Clayton, but they are only 2.2% of the population there.
The Jews are the least dispersed of all groups and are particularly concentrated in the Caulfield North and East St. Kilda areas. In Caulfield North, Jews constitute 39.7% of the population.

Change Over Time

Examining of data for 1986, 1991 and 1996 show that in most cases there has been little change in the levels of concentration. There has been a slight increase in the concentration of Jews and Muslims, and a slight decrease in the Orthodox and Buddhist concentration. Australia does not have any approaching the sort of ghettos found in some other places. But residential concentration tells only part of the story. In recent work on social capital and the strength of community life, the importance of cross-cutting ties has been noted (Narayan 1999, pp.13-15.). It is important that no group feels excluded from the benefits of society. Communication which cuts across the boundaries of religion is important to ensure that trust, goodwill and understanding are maintained.

Philip Hughes

References:

Gary Bouma and Philip Hughes, 2000, ‘Residential Concentrations in Australia', People and Place, vol. 8, no.3, pp.18-27.
Narayan, D., 1999, Bonds and Bridges: Social Capital and Poverty, World Bank, Washington.