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 Alstonville, accounting for 40% (2,362 people). This share was lower than Ballina (A) (42.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 688 people and 10.7 percentage points.

Section overview

Religion - Ranked by size

Alstonville - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises religion for Alstonville in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Ballina (A) and change since 2016.

Religion - Ranked by size snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Alstonville, with comparison markers for Ballina (A).

Alstonville
Ballina (A)

No Religion, so described

2021 count

2,362

% of total

40.0%

Change from 2016

+10.7pp

Western Catholic

2021 count

1,090

% of total

18.5%

Change from 2016

-2.1pp

Anglican Church of Australia

2021 count

851

% of total

14.4%

Change from 2016

-4.0pp

Not stated

2021 count

328

% of total

5.6%

Change from 2016

-1.8pp

Uniting Church

2021 count

322

% of total

5.5%

Change from 2016

-1.5pp

Presbyterian

2021 count

197

% of total

3.3%

Change from 2016

-0.6pp

Christianity, nfd

2021 count

179

% of total

3.0%

Change from 2016

+0.4pp

Baptist

2021 count

131

% of total

2.2%

Change from 2016

-0.5pp

Seventh-day Adventist

2021 count

70

% of total

1.2%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Pentecostal, nfd

2021 count

63

% of total

1.1%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Data table

Religion for Alstonville. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Ballina (A).

Religion for Alstonville. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Ballina (A).
Religion for Alstonville. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Ballina (A).
Category20212016Change
Count%Ballina (A)%Count%Ballina (A)%Countpp
No Religion, so described2,36240.0%42.4%1,67429.3%30.2%+688+10.7pp
Western Catholic1,09018.5%19.7%1,17720.6%21.9%-87-2.1pp
Anglican Church of Australia85114.4%15.0%1,05518.4%19.1%-204-4.0pp
Not stated3285.6%6.8%4267.4%9.7%-98-1.8pp
Uniting Church3225.5%3.2%4017.0%4.3%-79-1.5pp
Presbyterian1973.3%3.2%2233.9%4.2%-26-0.6pp
Christianity, nfd1793.0%2.1%1482.6%2.2%+31+0.4pp
Baptist1312.2%1.1%1532.7%1.2%-22-0.5pp
Seventh-day Adventist701.2%0.5%761.3%0.5%-6-0.1pp
Pentecostal, nfd631.1%0.8%661.2%0.9%-3-0.1pp
Total5,901100.0%100.0%5,721100.0%100.0%+1800.0pp

Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.