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 Brighton East (part), accounting for 38.7% (6,475 people). This share was lower than Bayside (C) (44%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 1,494 people and 7.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Brighton East (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Brighton East (part) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Bayside (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Brighton East (part), with comparison markers for Bayside (C).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
6,475
% of total
38.7%
Change from 2016
+7.5pp
6,475
38.7%
+7.5pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
3,430
% of total
20.5%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
3,430
20.5%
-1.8pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
1,789
% of total
10.7%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
1,789
10.7%
-2.1pp
Judaism
2021 count
1,535
% of total
9.2%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
1,535
9.2%
+0.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
824
% of total
4.9%
Change from 2016
-3.5pp
824
4.9%
-3.5pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
764
% of total
4.6%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
764
4.6%
+0.4pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
428
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
428
2.6%
-0.8pp
Buddhism
2021 count
264
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
264
1.6%
0.0pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
193
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
193
1.2%
-0.5pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
177
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
177
1.1%
0.0pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+1,494
+7.5pp
Western Catholic
-139
-1.8pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-257
-2.1pp
Judaism
+133
+0.4pp
Not stated
-512
-3.5pp
Greek Orthodox
+86
+0.4pp
Uniting Church
-112
-0.8pp
Buddhism
+13
0.0pp
Presbyterian
-72
-0.5pp
Christianity, nfd
+8
0.0pp
Data table
Religion for Brighton East (part). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Bayside (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Bayside (C)% | Count | % | Bayside (C)% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 6,475 | 38.7% | 44.0% | 4,981 | 31.2% | 35.8% | +1,494 | +7.5pp |
| Western Catholic | 3,430 | 20.5% | 21.3% | 3,569 | 22.3% | 22.7% | -139 | -1.8pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 1,789 | 10.7% | 11.8% | 2,046 | 12.8% | 14.4% | -257 | -2.1pp |
| Judaism | 1,535 | 9.2% | 2.9% | 1,402 | 8.8% | 2.7% | +133 | +0.4pp |
| Not stated | 824 | 4.9% | 4.8% | 1,336 | 8.4% | 8.6% | -512 | -3.5pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 764 | 4.6% | 3.5% | 678 | 4.2% | 3.4% | +86 | +0.4pp |
| Uniting Church | 428 | 2.6% | 2.7% | 540 | 3.4% | 3.4% | -112 | -0.8pp |
| Buddhism | 264 | 1.6% | 1.2% | 251 | 1.6% | 1.2% | +13 | 0.0pp |
| Presbyterian | 193 | 1.2% | 1.4% | 265 | 1.7% | 1.9% | -72 | -0.5pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 177 | 1.1% | 1.3% | 169 | 1.1% | 1.3% | +8 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 16,746 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 15,984 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +762 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.