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, Western Catholic was the most common religious affiliation among residents in Sunshine North, accounting for 27.7% (3,333 people). This share was lower than Brimbank (C) (29.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 662 people and 5 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Sunshine North - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Sunshine North in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Brimbank (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Sunshine North, with comparison markers for Brimbank (C).
Western Catholic
2021 count
3,333
% of total
27.7%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
3,333
27.7%
-2.2pp
No Religion, so described
2021 count
2,855
% of total
23.7%
Change from 2016
+5.0pp
2,855
23.7%
+5.0pp
Buddhism
2021 count
2,547
% of total
21.2%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
2,547
21.2%
-0.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
922
% of total
7.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
922
7.7%
+0.1pp
Islam
2021 count
606
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
606
5.0%
+0.7pp
Hinduism
2021 count
305
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
305
2.5%
+0.2pp
Baptist
2021 count
304
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
304
2.5%
-0.5pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
243
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
243
2.0%
-0.2pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
186
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
186
1.5%
-0.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
175
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
175
1.5%
-0.3pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Western Catholic
-161
-2.2pp
No Religion, so described
+662
+5.0pp
Buddhism
-21
-0.8pp
Not stated
+33
+0.1pp
Islam
+99
+0.7pp
Hinduism
+34
+0.2pp
Baptist
-43
-0.5pp
Christianity, nfd
-10
-0.2pp
Greek Orthodox
-30
-0.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-39
-0.3pp
Data table
Religion for Sunshine North. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Brimbank (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Brimbank (C)% | Count | % | Brimbank (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Western Catholic | 3,333 | 27.7% | 29.2% | 3,494 | 29.9% | 31.1% | -161 | -2.2pp |
| No Religion, so described | 2,855 | 23.7% | 21.0% | 2,193 | 18.7% | 16.8% | +662 | +5.0pp |
| Buddhism | 2,547 | 21.2% | 11.1% | 2,568 | 22.0% | 10.8% | -21 | -0.8pp |
| Not stated | 922 | 7.7% | 7.1% | 889 | 7.6% | 8.4% | +33 | +0.1pp |
| Islam | 606 | 5.0% | 6.7% | 507 | 4.3% | 5.8% | +99 | +0.7pp |
| Hinduism | 305 | 2.5% | 3.1% | 271 | 2.3% | 2.9% | +34 | +0.2pp |
| Baptist | 304 | 2.5% | 1.6% | 347 | 3.0% | 1.5% | -43 | -0.5pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 243 | 2.0% | 3.8% | 253 | 2.2% | 3.5% | -10 | -0.2pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 186 | 1.5% | 3.9% | 216 | 1.8% | 4.3% | -30 | -0.3pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 175 | 1.5% | 2.4% | 214 | 1.8% | 3.1% | -39 | -0.3pp |
| Total | 12,040 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 11,698 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +342 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.