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 West, accounting for 25% (4,643 people). This share was lower than Brimbank (C) (29.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 778 people and 4.2 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.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Sunshine West, with comparison markers for Brimbank (C).
Western Catholic
No Religion, so described
Buddhism
Islam
Not stated
Greek Orthodox
Christianity, nfd
Hinduism
Baptist
Anglican Church of Australia
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Western Catholic
-404
-2.2pp
No Religion, so described
+778
+4.2pp
Buddhism
-98
-0.5pp
Islam
+226
+1.3pp
Not stated
-102
-0.5pp
Greek Orthodox
-189
-1.0pp
Christianity, nfd
+62
+0.4pp
Hinduism
+12
+0.1pp
Baptist
+29
+0.1pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-113
-0.6pp
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% | 5,047 | 27.2% | 31.1% | -404 | -2.2pp |
| No Religion, so described | 4,096 | 22.1% | 21.0% | 3,318 | 17.9% | 16.8% | +778 | +4.2pp |
| Buddhism | 2,183 | 11.8% | 11.1% | 2,281 | 12.3% | 10.8% | -98 | -0.5pp |
| Islam | 1,777 | 9.6% | 6.7% | 1,551 | 8.3% | 5.8% | +226 | +1.3pp |
| Not stated | 1,291 | 7.0% | 7.1% | 1,393 | 7.5% | 8.4% | -102 | -0.5pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 1,122 | 6.1% | 3.9% | 1,311 | 7.1% | 4.3% | -189 | -1.0pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 700 | 3.8% | 3.8% | 638 | 3.4% | 3.5% | +62 | +0.4pp |
| Hinduism | 499 | 2.7% | 3.1% | 487 | 2.6% | 2.9% | +12 | +0.1pp |
| Baptist | 343 | 1.8% | 1.6% | 314 | 1.7% | 1.5% | +29 | +0.1pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 336 | 1.8% | 2.4% | 449 | 2.4% | 3.1% | -113 | -0.6pp |
| Total | 18,542 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 18,579 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -37 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.