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 West Ballina, accounting for 35.5% (1,146 people). This share was lower than Ballina (A) (42.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 1,127 people and 22.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
West Ballina - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for West Ballina in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Ballina (A) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for West Ballina, with comparison markers for Ballina (A).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
1,146
% of total
35.5%
Change from 2016
+22.6pp
1,146
35.5%
+22.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
674
% of total
20.9%
Change from 2016
-18.6pp
674
20.9%
-18.6pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
604
% of total
18.7%
Change from 2016
-4.4pp
604
18.7%
-4.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
292
% of total
9.0%
Change from 2016
-5.3pp
292
9.0%
-5.3pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
132
% of total
4.1%
Change from 2016
-
132
4.1%
-
Uniting Church
2021 count
125
% of total
3.9%
Change from 2016
-4.3pp
125
3.9%
-4.3pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
43
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-
43
1.3%
-
Baptist
2021 count
33
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-
33
1.0%
-
Buddhism
2021 count
29
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-
29
0.9%
-
Jehovah's Witnesses
2021 count
27
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-
27
0.8%
-
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+1,127
+22.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
+616
-18.6pp
Western Catholic
+570
-4.4pp
Not stated
+271
-5.3pp
Uniting Church
+113
-4.3pp
Data table
Religion for West 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 | 1,146 | 35.5% | 42.4% | 19 | 12.9% | 30.2% | +1,127 | +22.6pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 674 | 20.9% | 15.0% | 58 | 39.5% | 19.1% | +616 | -18.6pp |
| Western Catholic | 604 | 18.7% | 19.7% | 34 | 23.1% | 21.9% | +570 | -4.4pp |
| Not stated | 292 | 9.0% | 6.8% | 21 | 14.3% | 9.7% | +271 | -5.3pp |
| Presbyterian | 132 | 4.1% | 3.2% | - | - | 4.2% | - | - |
| Uniting Church | 125 | 3.9% | 3.2% | 12 | 8.2% | 4.3% | +113 | -4.3pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 43 | 1.3% | 2.1% | - | - | 2.2% | - | - |
| Baptist | 33 | 1.0% | 1.1% | - | - | 1.2% | - | - |
| Buddhism | 29 | 0.9% | 1.1% | - | - | 1.2% | - | - |
| Jehovah's Witnesses | 27 | 0.8% | 0.6% | - | - | 0.6% | - | - |
| Total | 3,232 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 147 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +3,085 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.