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 Cumbalum, accounting for 43.5% (955 people). This share was higher than Ballina (A) (42.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 480 people and 12.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Cumbalum - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Cumbalum in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Ballina (A) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Cumbalum, with comparison markers for Ballina (A).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
955
% of total
43.5%
Change from 2016
+12.1pp
955
43.5%
+12.1pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
453
% of total
20.6%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
453
20.6%
-1.9pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
303
% of total
13.8%
Change from 2016
-7.1pp
303
13.8%
-7.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
134
% of total
6.1%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
134
6.1%
-0.8pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
61
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
61
2.8%
-0.9pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
57
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
57
2.6%
-1.2pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
48
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
48
2.2%
-1.7pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
41
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
41
1.9%
+0.5pp
Buddhism
2021 count
35
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
35
1.6%
+0.8pp
Baptist
2021 count
14
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-
14
0.6%
-
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+480
+12.1pp
Western Catholic
+112
-1.9pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-13
-7.1pp
Not stated
+30
-0.8pp
Christianity, nfd
+5
-0.9pp
Uniting Church
0
-1.2pp
Presbyterian
-11
-1.7pp
Pentecostal, nfd
+20
+0.5pp
Buddhism
+23
+0.8pp
International Network of Churches (Christian Outreach Centres)
+3
-0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Cumbalum. 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 | 955 | 43.5% | 42.4% | 475 | 31.4% | 30.2% | +480 | +12.1pp |
| Western Catholic | 453 | 20.6% | 19.7% | 341 | 22.5% | 21.9% | +112 | -1.9pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 303 | 13.8% | 15.0% | 316 | 20.9% | 19.1% | -13 | -7.1pp |
| Not stated | 134 | 6.1% | 6.8% | 104 | 6.9% | 9.7% | +30 | -0.8pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 61 | 2.8% | 2.1% | 56 | 3.7% | 2.2% | +5 | -0.9pp |
| Uniting Church | 57 | 2.6% | 3.2% | 57 | 3.8% | 4.3% | 0 | -1.2pp |
| Presbyterian | 48 | 2.2% | 3.2% | 59 | 3.9% | 4.2% | -11 | -1.7pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 41 | 1.9% | 0.8% | 21 | 1.4% | 0.9% | +20 | +0.5pp |
| Buddhism | 35 | 1.6% | 1.1% | 12 | 0.8% | 1.2% | +23 | +0.8pp |
| Baptist | 14 | 0.6% | 1.1% | - | - | 1.2% | - | - |
| Total | 2,196 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,513 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +683 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.