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 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.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Abbotsbury, with comparison markers for Fairfield (C).
Western Catholic
No Religion, so described
Islam
Buddhism
Anglican Church of Australia
Chaldean Catholic
Assyrian Church of the East
Christianity, nfd
Not stated
Greek Orthodox
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.