An increase in the Jewish population? Early findings from the 2021 census

The percentage of Australians identifying as Jewish has increased by 9.8%, one of largest intercensal increases since the 1950s, according to figures released this week. ANDREW MARKUS analyses this week’s census release

The Australia census provides an invaluable statistical resource for understanding changes within the Jewish community, of importance for communal planning.  The wealth of data informs understanding of age structure, immigration, education, occupations, income, residential location, marriage, health and disability.

There is, however, one major difficulty with the identification of Jews. The key census identifier is a religion question, which asks ‘What is the person’s religion?’  After the first option, which is ‘no religion’, the numerically largest nine faith groups in Australia are listed, followed by an open box for specification of an ‘other’. Given the relatively small number of the Jews in the total Australian population (one in 250), Judaism is not a listed option and must be specified.  Those completing the question are instructed:

Hence the problem of interpreting census data: identity is in terms of religion, with no direct enumeration of secular identity, and there is prominent notice that an answer is not required.

In 2021, in Caulfield North, the area of largest Jewish population in Melbourne, the religion question was not answered by 7%, a further 29% indicated ‘no religion’, while 42% identified as Jewish; in the Sydney area of Dover Heights 6% did not answer, 24% indicated ‘no religion’, 41% Jewish.

To locate Jews in the ‘not stated’ and ‘no religion’ responses requires much detective work. We can count those who indicated that while not Jewish by faith, they speak Hebrew or Yiddish in the home. There is also a question on ethnicity.

Fortunately, we have demographers of outstanding ability, notably Dr David Graham in Sydney and Dr Emmanuel Gruzman in Melbourne.