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 Old Beach, accounting for 45.2% (1,988 people). This share was lower than Brighton (M) (51.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 601 people and 8.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Old Beach - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Old Beach in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Brighton (M) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Old Beach, with comparison markers for Brighton (M).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
1,988
% of total
45.2%
Change from 2016
+8.4pp
1,988
45.2%
+8.4pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
838
% of total
19.1%
Change from 2016
-4.0pp
838
19.1%
-4.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
793
% of total
18.0%
Change from 2016
-3.8pp
793
18.0%
-3.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
198
% of total
4.5%
Change from 2016
-2.6pp
198
4.5%
-2.6pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
114
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
114
2.6%
0.0pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
84
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
84
1.9%
+0.6pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
53
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
53
1.2%
+0.2pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
36
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
36
0.8%
-0.2pp
Baptist
2021 count
35
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
35
0.8%
-0.1pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
29
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
29
0.7%
0.0pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+601
+8.4pp
Western Catholic
-32
-4.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-27
-3.8pp
Not stated
-71
-2.6pp
Uniting Church
+17
0.0pp
Christianity, nfd
+35
+0.6pp
Presbyterian
+14
+0.2pp
Pentecostal, nfd
0
-0.2pp
Baptist
0
-0.1pp
Greek Orthodox
+2
0.0pp
Data table
Religion for Old Beach. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Brighton (M).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Brighton (M)% | Count | % | Brighton (M)% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 1,988 | 45.2% | 51.5% | 1,387 | 36.8% | 39.7% | +601 | +8.4pp |
| Western Catholic | 838 | 19.1% | 15.3% | 870 | 23.1% | 18.6% | -32 | -4.0pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 793 | 18.0% | 17.8% | 820 | 21.8% | 24.4% | -27 | -3.8pp |
| Not stated | 198 | 4.5% | 7.0% | 269 | 7.1% | 9.3% | -71 | -2.6pp |
| Uniting Church | 114 | 2.6% | 1.5% | 97 | 2.6% | 2.0% | +17 | 0.0pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 84 | 1.9% | 1.3% | 49 | 1.3% | 0.9% | +35 | +0.6pp |
| Presbyterian | 53 | 1.2% | 0.6% | 39 | 1.0% | 0.9% | +14 | +0.2pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 36 | 0.8% | 0.4% | 36 | 1.0% | 0.4% | 0 | -0.2pp |
| Baptist | 35 | 0.8% | 0.5% | 35 | 0.9% | 0.5% | 0 | -0.1pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 29 | 0.7% | 0.2% | 27 | 0.7% | 0.2% | +2 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 4,395 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,764 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +631 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.