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 East Ballina, accounting for 44.2% (2,592 people). This share was higher than Ballina (A) (42.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 1,513 people and 12.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
East Ballina - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for East Ballina in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Ballina (A) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for East Ballina, with comparison markers for Ballina (A).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
2,592
% of total
44.2%
Change from 2016
+12.4pp
2,592
44.2%
+12.4pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
1,270
% of total
21.7%
Change from 2016
-3.6pp
1,270
21.7%
-3.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
883
% of total
15.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
883
15.1%
0.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
330
% of total
5.6%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
330
5.6%
-1.0pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
197
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
197
3.4%
+1.2pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
158
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
158
2.7%
-1.2pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
103
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
103
1.8%
-1.1pp
Buddhism
2021 count
63
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
63
1.1%
-0.5pp
Baptist
2021 count
39
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
39
0.7%
-0.6pp
Seventh-day Adventist
2021 count
32
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
32
0.5%
+0.4pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+1,513
+12.4pp
Western Catholic
+412
-3.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
+369
0.0pp
Not stated
+106
-1.0pp
Presbyterian
+123
+1.2pp
Uniting Church
+26
-1.2pp
Christianity, nfd
+3
-1.1pp
Buddhism
+9
-0.5pp
Baptist
-5
-0.6pp
Seventh-day Adventist
+29
+0.4pp
Data table
Religion for East 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 | 2,592 | 44.2% | 42.4% | 1,079 | 31.8% | 30.2% | +1,513 | +12.4pp |
| Western Catholic | 1,270 | 21.7% | 19.7% | 858 | 25.3% | 21.9% | +412 | -3.6pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 883 | 15.1% | 15.0% | 514 | 15.1% | 19.1% | +369 | 0.0pp |
| Not stated | 330 | 5.6% | 6.8% | 224 | 6.6% | 9.7% | +106 | -1.0pp |
| Presbyterian | 197 | 3.4% | 3.2% | 74 | 2.2% | 4.2% | +123 | +1.2pp |
| Uniting Church | 158 | 2.7% | 3.2% | 132 | 3.9% | 4.3% | +26 | -1.2pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 103 | 1.8% | 2.1% | 100 | 2.9% | 2.2% | +3 | -1.1pp |
| Buddhism | 63 | 1.1% | 1.1% | 54 | 1.6% | 1.2% | +9 | -0.5pp |
| Baptist | 39 | 0.7% | 1.1% | 44 | 1.3% | 1.2% | -5 | -0.6pp |
| Seventh-day Adventist | 32 | 0.5% | 0.5% | 3 | 0.1% | 0.5% | +29 | +0.4pp |
| Total | 5,862 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,398 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,464 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.