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 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 1,371 people and 11.1 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.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Ballina, with comparison markers for Ballina (A).
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Anglican Church of Australia
Not stated
Presbyterian
Uniting Church
Christianity, nfd
Buddhism
Hinduism
Baptist
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+1,371
+11.1pp
Western Catholic
+112
-1.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-89
-3.3pp
Not stated
-277
-4.3pp
Presbyterian
-74
-1.3pp
Uniting Church
-64
-1.2pp
Christianity, nfd
+33
+0.2pp
Buddhism
+12
0.0pp
Hinduism
+48
+0.5pp
Baptist
-2
-0.1pp
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% | 2,248 | 26.0% | 30.2% | +1,371 | +11.1pp |
| Western Catholic | 1,956 | 20.1% | 19.7% | 1,844 | 21.3% | 21.9% | +112 | -1.2pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 1,718 | 17.6% | 15.0% | 1,807 | 20.9% | 19.1% | -89 | -3.3pp |
| Not stated | 847 | 8.7% | 6.8% | 1,124 | 13.0% | 9.7% | -277 | -4.3pp |
| Presbyterian | 347 | 3.6% | 3.2% | 421 | 4.9% | 4.2% | -74 | -1.3pp |
| Uniting Church | 313 | 3.2% | 3.2% | 377 | 4.4% | 4.3% | -64 | -1.2pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 183 | 1.9% | 2.1% | 150 | 1.7% | 2.2% | +33 | +0.2pp |
| Buddhism | 101 | 1.0% | 1.1% | 89 | 1.0% | 1.2% | +12 | 0.0pp |
| Hinduism | 84 | 0.9% | 0.3% | 36 | 0.4% | 0.2% | +48 | +0.5pp |
| Baptist | 80 | 0.8% | 1.1% | 82 | 0.9% | 1.2% | -2 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 9,744 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 8,646 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,098 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.