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 West, accounting for 25% (4,643 people). This share was lower than Brimbank (C) (29.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Western Catholic, which increased by 4,547 people and 12.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Sunshine West - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Sunshine West in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Brimbank (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Sunshine West, with comparison markers for Brimbank (C).
Western Catholic
2021 count
4,643
% of total
25.0%
Change from 2016
+12.2pp
4,643
25.0%
+12.2pp
No Religion, so described
2021 count
4,096
% of total
22.1%
Change from 2016
-16.9pp
4,096
22.1%
-16.9pp
Buddhism
2021 count
2,183
% of total
11.8%
Change from 2016
+11.1pp
2,183
11.8%
+11.1pp
Islam
2021 count
1,777
% of total
9.6%
Change from 2016
-
1,777
9.6%
-
Not stated
2021 count
1,291
% of total
7.0%
Change from 2016
-5.6pp
1,291
7.0%
-5.6pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
1,122
% of total
6.1%
Change from 2016
+5.2pp
1,122
6.1%
+5.2pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
700
% of total
3.8%
Change from 2016
+2.5pp
700
3.8%
+2.5pp
Hinduism
2021 count
499
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
-
499
2.7%
-
Baptist
2021 count
343
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
343
1.8%
+0.5pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
336
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-13.6pp
336
1.8%
-13.6pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Western Catholic
+4,547
+12.2pp
No Religion, so described
+3,803
-16.9pp
Buddhism
+2,178
+11.1pp
Not stated
+1,196
-5.6pp
Greek Orthodox
+1,115
+5.2pp
Christianity, nfd
+690
+2.5pp
Baptist
+333
+0.5pp
Anglican Church of Australia
+220
-13.6pp
Pentecostal, nfd
+137
0.0pp
Uniting Church
+98
-3.3pp
Data table
Religion for Sunshine West. 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 | 4,643 | 25.0% | 29.2% | 96 | 12.8% | 31.1% | +4,547 | +12.2pp |
| No Religion, so described | 4,096 | 22.1% | 21.0% | 293 | 39.0% | 16.8% | +3,803 | -16.9pp |
| Buddhism | 2,183 | 11.8% | 11.1% | 5 | 0.7% | 10.8% | +2,178 | +11.1pp |
| Islam | 1,777 | 9.6% | 6.7% | - | - | 5.8% | - | - |
| Not stated | 1,291 | 7.0% | 7.1% | 95 | 12.6% | 8.4% | +1,196 | -5.6pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 1,122 | 6.1% | 3.9% | 7 | 0.9% | 4.3% | +1,115 | +5.2pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 700 | 3.8% | 3.8% | 10 | 1.3% | 3.5% | +690 | +2.5pp |
| Hinduism | 499 | 2.7% | 3.1% | - | - | 2.9% | - | - |
| Baptist | 343 | 1.8% | 1.6% | 10 | 1.3% | 1.5% | +333 | +0.5pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 336 | 1.8% | 2.4% | 116 | 15.4% | 3.1% | +220 | -13.6pp |
| Total | 18,542 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 752 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +17,790 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.