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 Sunshine (Vic.), accounting for 30.6% (2,885 people). This share was higher than Brimbank (C) (21%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 710 people and 8.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Sunshine (Vic.) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Sunshine (Vic.) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Brimbank (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Sunshine (Vic.), with comparison markers for Brimbank (C).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
2,885
% of total
30.6%
Change from 2016
+8.3pp
2,885
30.6%
+8.3pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
2,006
% of total
21.3%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
2,006
21.3%
-1.2pp
Buddhism
2021 count
961
% of total
10.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
961
10.2%
+0.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
694
% of total
7.4%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
694
7.4%
-2.0pp
Hinduism
2021 count
637
% of total
6.8%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
637
6.8%
+1.5pp
Islam
2021 count
534
% of total
5.7%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
534
5.7%
-0.8pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
268
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
268
2.8%
-0.4pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
267
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
267
2.8%
+0.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
237
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
237
2.5%
-0.5pp
Baptist
2021 count
216
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-2.5pp
216
2.3%
-2.5pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+710
+8.3pp
Western Catholic
-187
-1.2pp
Buddhism
-28
+0.1pp
Not stated
-222
-2.0pp
Hinduism
+120
+1.5pp
Islam
-97
-0.8pp
Greek Orthodox
-48
-0.4pp
Christianity, nfd
+64
+0.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-60
-0.5pp
Baptist
-249
-2.5pp
Data table
Religion for Sunshine (Vic.). 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 | |
| No Religion, so described | 2,885 | 30.6% | 21.0% | 2,175 | 22.3% | 16.8% | +710 | +8.3pp |
| Western Catholic | 2,006 | 21.3% | 29.2% | 2,193 | 22.5% | 31.1% | -187 | -1.2pp |
| Buddhism | 961 | 10.2% | 11.1% | 989 | 10.1% | 10.8% | -28 | +0.1pp |
| Not stated | 694 | 7.4% | 7.1% | 916 | 9.4% | 8.4% | -222 | -2.0pp |
| Hinduism | 637 | 6.8% | 3.1% | 517 | 5.3% | 2.9% | +120 | +1.5pp |
| Islam | 534 | 5.7% | 6.7% | 631 | 6.5% | 5.8% | -97 | -0.8pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 268 | 2.8% | 3.9% | 316 | 3.2% | 4.3% | -48 | -0.4pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 267 | 2.8% | 3.8% | 203 | 2.1% | 3.5% | +64 | +0.7pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 237 | 2.5% | 2.4% | 297 | 3.0% | 3.1% | -60 | -0.5pp |
| Baptist | 216 | 2.3% | 1.6% | 465 | 4.8% | 1.5% | -249 | -2.5pp |
| Total | 9,431 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 9,752 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -321 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.