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 Byron Bay, accounting for 57.9% (3,645 people). This share was similar to Byron (A) (57.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 1,281 people and 14.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Byron Bay - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Byron Bay in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Byron (A) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Byron Bay, with comparison markers for Byron (A).
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Not stated
Anglican Church of Australia
Buddhism
Uniting Church
Judaism
Christianity, nfd
Presbyterian
Inadequately described
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+1,281
+14.9pp
Western Catholic
+95
0.0pp
Not stated
-543
-11.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-80
-2.5pp
Buddhism
+29
+0.2pp
Uniting Church
-26
-0.7pp
Judaism
+40
+0.6pp
Christianity, nfd
+24
+0.3pp
Presbyterian
-55
-1.1pp
Inadequately described
-14
-0.3pp
Data table
Religion for Byron Bay. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Byron (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Byron (A)% | Count | % | Byron (A)% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 3,645 | 57.9% | 57.7% | 2,364 | 43.0% | 46.3% | +1,281 | +14.9pp |
| Western Catholic | 757 | 12.0% | 10.4% | 662 | 12.0% | 12.5% | +95 | 0.0pp |
| Not stated | 696 | 11.1% | 11.9% | 1,239 | 22.5% | 15.6% | -543 | -11.4pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 443 | 7.0% | 6.8% | 523 | 9.5% | 9.7% | -80 | -2.5pp |
| Buddhism | 150 | 2.4% | 2.1% | 121 | 2.2% | 2.5% | +29 | +0.2pp |
| Uniting Church | 102 | 1.6% | 1.7% | 128 | 2.3% | 2.8% | -26 | -0.7pp |
| Judaism | 79 | 1.3% | 1.2% | 39 | 0.7% | 0.9% | +40 | +0.6pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 75 | 1.2% | 1.1% | 51 | 0.9% | 1.3% | +24 | +0.3pp |
| Presbyterian | 60 | 1.0% | 1.2% | 115 | 2.1% | 2.2% | -55 | -1.1pp |
| Inadequately described | 38 | 0.6% | 0.8% | 52 | 0.9% | 0.9% | -14 | -0.3pp |
| Total | 6,297 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,500 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +797 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.