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 (A), accounting for 42.4% (19,604 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (37.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 6,981 people and 12.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Ballina (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Ballina (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Ballina (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
19,604
% of total
42.4%
Change from 2016
+12.2pp
19,604
42.4%
+12.2pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
9,121
% of total
19.7%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
9,121
19.7%
-2.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
6,929
% of total
15.0%
Change from 2016
-4.1pp
6,929
15.0%
-4.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
3,149
% of total
6.8%
Change from 2016
-2.9pp
3,149
6.8%
-2.9pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
1,476
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
1,476
3.2%
-1.0pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
1,476
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
1,476
3.2%
-1.1pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
977
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
977
2.1%
-0.1pp
Baptist
2021 count
525
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
525
1.1%
-0.1pp
Buddhism
2021 count
491
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
491
1.1%
-0.1pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
349
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
349
0.8%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+6,981
+12.2pp
Western Catholic
-47
-2.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-1,034
-4.1pp
Not stated
-886
-2.9pp
Presbyterian
-295
-1.0pp
Uniting Church
-333
-1.1pp
Christianity, nfd
+57
-0.1pp
Baptist
+19
-0.1pp
Buddhism
-15
-0.1pp
Pentecostal, nfd
-15
-0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Ballina (A). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NSW.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional NSW% | Count | % | Regional NSW% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 19,604 | 42.4% | 37.4% | 12,623 | 30.2% | 26.0% | +6,981 | +12.2pp |
| Western Catholic | 9,121 | 19.7% | 21.0% | 9,168 | 21.9% | 23.8% | -47 | -2.2pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 6,929 | 15.0% | 17.0% | 7,963 | 19.1% | 21.9% | -1,034 | -4.1pp |
| Not stated | 3,149 | 6.8% | 7.7% | 4,035 | 9.7% | 9.3% | -886 | -2.9pp |
| Presbyterian | 1,476 | 3.2% | 2.6% | 1,771 | 4.2% | 3.5% | -295 | -1.0pp |
| Uniting Church | 1,476 | 3.2% | 3.3% | 1,809 | 4.3% | 4.5% | -333 | -1.1pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 977 | 2.1% | 2.2% | 920 | 2.2% | 2.2% | +57 | -0.1pp |
| Baptist | 525 | 1.1% | 1.2% | 506 | 1.2% | 1.3% | +19 | -0.1pp |
| Buddhism | 491 | 1.1% | 0.8% | 506 | 1.2% | 0.8% | -15 | -0.1pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 349 | 0.8% | 0.7% | 364 | 0.9% | 0.8% | -15 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 46,284 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 41,781 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +4,503 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.