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 Ballina, accounting for 37.1% (3,619 people). This share was lower than Ballina (A) (42.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 3,615 people, while its share fell by 12.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Ballina - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Ballina in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Ballina (A) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Ballina, with comparison markers for Ballina (A).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
3,619
% of total
37.1%
Change from 2016
-12.9pp
3,619
37.1%
-12.9pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
1,956
% of total
20.1%
Change from 2016
-29.9pp
1,956
20.1%
-29.9pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
1,718
% of total
17.6%
Change from 2016
-
1,718
17.6%
-
Not stated
2021 count
847
% of total
8.7%
Change from 2016
-
847
8.7%
-
Presbyterian
2021 count
347
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
-
347
3.6%
-
Uniting Church
2021 count
313
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
-
313
3.2%
-
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
183
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-
183
1.9%
-
Buddhism
2021 count
101
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-
101
1.0%
-
Hinduism
2021 count
84
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-
84
0.9%
-
Baptist
2021 count
80
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-
80
0.8%
-
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+3,615
-12.9pp
Western Catholic
+1,952
-29.9pp
Data table
Religion for Ballina. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Ballina (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Ballina (A)% | Count | % | Ballina (A)% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 3,619 | 37.1% | 42.4% | 4 | 50.0% | 30.2% | +3,615 | -12.9pp |
| Western Catholic | 1,956 | 20.1% | 19.7% | 4 | 50.0% | 21.9% | +1,952 | -29.9pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 1,718 | 17.6% | 15.0% | - | - | 19.1% | - | - |
| Not stated | 847 | 8.7% | 6.8% | - | - | 9.7% | - | - |
| Presbyterian | 347 | 3.6% | 3.2% | - | - | 4.2% | - | - |
| Uniting Church | 313 | 3.2% | 3.2% | - | - | 4.3% | - | - |
| Christianity, nfd | 183 | 1.9% | 2.1% | - | - | 2.2% | - | - |
| Buddhism | 101 | 1.0% | 1.1% | - | - | 1.2% | - | - |
| Hinduism | 84 | 0.9% | 0.3% | - | - | 0.2% | - | - |
| Baptist | 80 | 0.8% | 1.1% | - | - | 1.2% | - | - |
| Total | 9,744 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 8 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +9,736 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.