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 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 397 people and 10.6 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.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for West Ballina, with comparison markers for Ballina (A).
No Religion, so described
Anglican Church of Australia
Western Catholic
Not stated
Presbyterian
Uniting Church
Christianity, nfd
Baptist
Buddhism
Jehovah's Witnesses
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+397
+10.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-89
-4.5pp
Western Catholic
-37
-2.6pp
Not stated
-15
-1.2pp
Presbyterian
-37
-1.5pp
Uniting Church
-12
-0.7pp
Christianity, nfd
-3
-0.2pp
Baptist
+6
+0.1pp
Buddhism
-7
-0.3pp
Jehovah's Witnesses
+7
+0.1pp
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% | 749 | 24.9% | 30.2% | +397 | +10.6pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 674 | 20.9% | 15.0% | 763 | 25.4% | 19.1% | -89 | -4.5pp |
| Western Catholic | 604 | 18.7% | 19.7% | 641 | 21.3% | 21.9% | -37 | -2.6pp |
| Not stated | 292 | 9.0% | 6.8% | 307 | 10.2% | 9.7% | -15 | -1.2pp |
| Presbyterian | 132 | 4.1% | 3.2% | 169 | 5.6% | 4.2% | -37 | -1.5pp |
| Uniting Church | 125 | 3.9% | 3.2% | 137 | 4.6% | 4.3% | -12 | -0.7pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 43 | 1.3% | 2.1% | 46 | 1.5% | 2.2% | -3 | -0.2pp |
| Baptist | 33 | 1.0% | 1.1% | 27 | 0.9% | 1.2% | +6 | +0.1pp |
| Buddhism | 29 | 0.9% | 1.1% | 36 | 1.2% | 1.2% | -7 | -0.3pp |
| Jehovah's Witnesses | 27 | 0.8% | 0.6% | 20 | 0.7% | 0.6% | +7 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 3,232 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,009 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +223 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.