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 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 982 people and 11.9 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.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Ocean Shores, with comparison markers for Byron (A).
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Not stated
Anglican Church of Australia
Buddhism
Judaism
Uniting Church
Christianity, nfd
Inadequately described
Presbyterian
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+982
+11.9pp
Western Catholic
-89
-3.1pp
Not stated
-28
-1.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-161
-4.0pp
Buddhism
+1
-0.2pp
Judaism
+51
+0.8pp
Uniting Church
-29
-0.7pp
Christianity, nfd
+5
0.0pp
Inadequately described
-15
-0.4pp
Presbyterian
-58
-1.2pp
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% | 2,397 | 46.8% | 46.3% | +982 | +11.9pp |
| Western Catholic | 637 | 11.1% | 10.4% | 726 | 14.2% | 12.5% | -89 | -3.1pp |
| Not stated | 563 | 9.8% | 11.9% | 591 | 11.5% | 15.6% | -28 | -1.7pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 419 | 7.3% | 6.8% | 580 | 11.3% | 9.7% | -161 | -4.0pp |
| Buddhism | 126 | 2.2% | 2.1% | 125 | 2.4% | 2.5% | +1 | -0.2pp |
| Judaism | 94 | 1.6% | 1.2% | 43 | 0.8% | 0.9% | +51 | +0.8pp |
| Uniting Church | 90 | 1.6% | 1.7% | 119 | 2.3% | 2.8% | -29 | -0.7pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 79 | 1.4% | 1.1% | 74 | 1.4% | 1.3% | +5 | 0.0pp |
| Inadequately described | 48 | 0.8% | 0.8% | 63 | 1.2% | 0.9% | -15 | -0.4pp |
| Presbyterian | 36 | 0.6% | 1.2% | 94 | 1.8% | 2.2% | -58 | -1.2pp |
| Total | 5,752 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,125 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +627 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.