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 Abbotsbury, accounting for 49% (2,063 people). This share was higher than Fairfield (C) (26.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Western Catholic, which decreased by 224 people and 4.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Abbotsbury - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Abbotsbury in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Fairfield (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Abbotsbury, with comparison markers for Fairfield (C).
Western Catholic
2021 count
2,063
% of total
49.0%
Change from 2016
-4.9pp
2,063
49.0%
-4.9pp
No Religion, so described
2021 count
369
% of total
8.8%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
369
8.8%
+1.8pp
Islam
2021 count
188
% of total
4.5%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
188
4.5%
+1.9pp
Buddhism
2021 count
176
% of total
4.2%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
176
4.2%
+0.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
174
% of total
4.1%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
174
4.1%
-0.6pp
Chaldean Catholic
2021 count
153
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
153
3.6%
+1.8pp
Assyrian Church of the East
2021 count
147
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
147
3.5%
-0.4pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
143
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
143
3.4%
-0.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
135
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
135
3.2%
-0.5pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
112
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
112
2.7%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Western Catholic
-224
-4.9pp
No Religion, so described
+70
+1.8pp
Islam
+78
+1.9pp
Buddhism
+11
+0.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-26
-0.6pp
Chaldean Catholic
+75
+1.8pp
Assyrian Church of the East
-18
-0.4pp
Christianity, nfd
-15
-0.3pp
Not stated
-22
-0.5pp
Greek Orthodox
-9
-0.2pp
Data table
Religion for Abbotsbury. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Fairfield (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Fairfield (C)% | Count | % | Fairfield (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Western Catholic | 2,063 | 49.0% | 26.3% | 2,287 | 53.9% | 28.1% | -224 | -4.9pp |
| No Religion, so described | 369 | 8.8% | 14.6% | 299 | 7.0% | 12.6% | +70 | +1.8pp |
| Islam | 188 | 4.5% | 6.3% | 110 | 2.6% | 5.9% | +78 | +1.9pp |
| Buddhism | 176 | 4.2% | 19.9% | 165 | 3.9% | 20.7% | +11 | +0.3pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 174 | 4.1% | 2.6% | 200 | 4.7% | 3.7% | -26 | -0.6pp |
| Chaldean Catholic | 153 | 3.6% | 3.0% | 78 | 1.8% | 2.2% | +75 | +1.8pp |
| Assyrian Church of the East | 147 | 3.5% | 4.0% | 165 | 3.9% | 3.2% | -18 | -0.4pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 143 | 3.4% | 4.0% | 158 | 3.7% | 3.6% | -15 | -0.3pp |
| Not stated | 135 | 3.2% | 7.0% | 157 | 3.7% | 7.0% | -22 | -0.5pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 112 | 2.7% | 1.3% | 121 | 2.9% | 1.3% | -9 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 4,210 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,242 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -32 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.