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 Ocean Shores, accounting for 58.7% (3,379 people). This share was higher than Byron (A) (57.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 2,829 people and 41 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Ocean Shores - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Ocean Shores in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Byron (A) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Ocean Shores, with comparison markers for Byron (A).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
3,379
% of total
58.7%
Change from 2016
+41.0pp
3,379
58.7%
+41.0pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
637
% of total
11.1%
Change from 2016
-18.9pp
637
11.1%
-18.9pp
Not stated
2021 count
563
% of total
9.8%
Change from 2016
+4.3pp
563
9.8%
+4.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
419
% of total
7.3%
Change from 2016
-9.2pp
419
7.3%
-9.2pp
Buddhism
2021 count
126
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
126
2.2%
+0.5pp
Judaism
2021 count
94
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
94
1.6%
+1.4pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
90
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
90
1.6%
-2.2pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
79
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
79
1.4%
-0.7pp
Inadequately described
2021 count
48
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
48
0.8%
+0.6pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
36
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
36
0.6%
-1.8pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+2,829
+41.0pp
Western Catholic
-296
-18.9pp
Not stated
+392
+4.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-93
-9.2pp
Buddhism
+74
+0.5pp
Judaism
+88
+1.4pp
Uniting Church
-27
-2.2pp
Christianity, nfd
+13
-0.7pp
Inadequately described
+42
+0.6pp
Presbyterian
-38
-1.8pp
Data table
Religion for Ocean Shores. 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 | 3,379 | 58.7% | 57.7% | 550 | 17.7% | 46.3% | +2,829 | +41.0pp |
| Western Catholic | 637 | 11.1% | 10.4% | 933 | 30.0% | 12.5% | -296 | -18.9pp |
| Not stated | 563 | 9.8% | 11.9% | 171 | 5.5% | 15.6% | +392 | +4.3pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 419 | 7.3% | 6.8% | 512 | 16.5% | 9.7% | -93 | -9.2pp |
| Buddhism | 126 | 2.2% | 2.1% | 52 | 1.7% | 2.5% | +74 | +0.5pp |
| Judaism | 94 | 1.6% | 1.2% | 6 | 0.2% | 0.9% | +88 | +1.4pp |
| Uniting Church | 90 | 1.6% | 1.7% | 117 | 3.8% | 2.8% | -27 | -2.2pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 79 | 1.4% | 1.1% | 66 | 2.1% | 1.3% | +13 | -0.7pp |
| Inadequately described | 48 | 0.8% | 0.8% | 6 | 0.2% | 0.9% | +42 | +0.6pp |
| Presbyterian | 36 | 0.6% | 1.2% | 74 | 2.4% | 2.2% | -38 | -1.8pp |
| Total | 5,752 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,112 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,640 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.