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 (Vic.), accounting for 41.2% (9,567 people). This share was lower than Bayside (C) (44%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 1,752 people and 7.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Brighton (Vic.) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Brighton (Vic.) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Bayside (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Brighton (Vic.), with comparison markers for Bayside (C).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
9,567
% of total
41.2%
Change from 2016
+7.6pp
9,567
41.2%
+7.6pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
5,095
% of total
21.9%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
5,095
21.9%
-0.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
3,186
% of total
13.7%
Change from 2016
-2.9pp
3,186
13.7%
-2.9pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,229
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
-4.0pp
1,229
5.3%
-4.0pp
Judaism
2021 count
830
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
830
3.6%
+0.4pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
786
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
786
3.4%
+0.3pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
602
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
602
2.6%
-0.4pp
Buddhism
2021 count
318
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
318
1.4%
-0.1pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
316
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
316
1.4%
-0.4pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
267
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
267
1.1%
0.0pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+1,752
+7.6pp
Western Catholic
-137
-0.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-681
-2.9pp
Not stated
-940
-4.0pp
Judaism
+86
+0.4pp
Greek Orthodox
+67
+0.3pp
Uniting Church
-92
-0.4pp
Buddhism
-37
-0.1pp
Presbyterian
-94
-0.4pp
Christianity, nfd
+2
0.0pp
Data table
Religion for Brighton (Vic.). 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 | 9,567 | 41.2% | 44.0% | 7,815 | 33.6% | 35.8% | +1,752 | +7.6pp |
| Western Catholic | 5,095 | 21.9% | 21.3% | 5,232 | 22.5% | 22.7% | -137 | -0.6pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 3,186 | 13.7% | 11.8% | 3,867 | 16.6% | 14.4% | -681 | -2.9pp |
| Not stated | 1,229 | 5.3% | 4.8% | 2,169 | 9.3% | 8.6% | -940 | -4.0pp |
| Judaism | 830 | 3.6% | 2.9% | 744 | 3.2% | 2.7% | +86 | +0.4pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 786 | 3.4% | 3.5% | 719 | 3.1% | 3.4% | +67 | +0.3pp |
| Uniting Church | 602 | 2.6% | 2.7% | 694 | 3.0% | 3.4% | -92 | -0.4pp |
| Buddhism | 318 | 1.4% | 1.2% | 355 | 1.5% | 1.2% | -37 | -0.1pp |
| Presbyterian | 316 | 1.4% | 1.4% | 410 | 1.8% | 1.9% | -94 | -0.4pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 267 | 1.1% | 1.3% | 265 | 1.1% | 1.3% | +2 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 23,220 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 23,232 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -12 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.