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, 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
No Religion, so described
Buddhism
Not stated
Islam
Hinduism
Baptist
Christianity, nfd
Greek Orthodox
Anglican Church of Australia
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.