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 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
Western Catholic
Anglican Church of Australia
Not stated
Judaism
Greek Orthodox
Uniting Church
Buddhism
Presbyterian
Christianity, nfd
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.