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 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
Western Catholic
Buddhism
Not stated
Hinduism
Islam
Greek Orthodox
Christianity, nfd
Anglican Church of Australia
Baptist
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.