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 Bonnyrigg Heights, accounting for 28.1% (2,066 people). This share was higher than Fairfield (C) (26.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 131 people and 1.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Bonnyrigg Heights - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Bonnyrigg Heights in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Fairfield (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Bonnyrigg Heights, with comparison markers for Fairfield (C).
Western Catholic
2021 count
2,066
% of total
28.1%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
2,066
28.1%
-0.9pp
Buddhism
2021 count
1,568
% of total
21.4%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
1,568
21.4%
-0.4pp
No Religion, so described
2021 count
893
% of total
12.2%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
893
12.2%
+1.8pp
Islam
2021 count
509
% of total
6.9%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
509
6.9%
+1.0pp
Serbian Orthodox
2021 count
398
% of total
5.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
398
5.4%
-0.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
328
% of total
4.5%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
328
4.5%
-0.9pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
316
% of total
4.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
316
4.3%
+0.2pp
Chaldean Catholic
2021 count
210
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
210
2.9%
+0.5pp
Assyrian Church of the East
2021 count
201
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
201
2.7%
+0.6pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
105
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
105
1.4%
-0.3pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Western Catholic
-54
-0.9pp
Buddhism
-21
-0.4pp
No Religion, so described
+131
+1.8pp
Islam
+78
+1.0pp
Serbian Orthodox
-3
-0.1pp
Not stated
-67
-0.9pp
Christianity, nfd
+17
+0.2pp
Chaldean Catholic
+38
+0.5pp
Assyrian Church of the East
+49
+0.6pp
Greek Orthodox
-18
-0.3pp
Data table
Religion for Bonnyrigg Heights. 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 | 2,066 | 28.1% | 26.3% | 2,120 | 29.0% | 28.1% | -54 | -0.9pp |
| Buddhism | 1,568 | 21.4% | 19.9% | 1,589 | 21.8% | 20.7% | -21 | -0.4pp |
| No Religion, so described | 893 | 12.2% | 14.6% | 762 | 10.4% | 12.6% | +131 | +1.8pp |
| Islam | 509 | 6.9% | 6.3% | 431 | 5.9% | 5.9% | +78 | +1.0pp |
| Serbian Orthodox | 398 | 5.4% | 1.4% | 401 | 5.5% | 1.4% | -3 | -0.1pp |
| Not stated | 328 | 4.5% | 7.0% | 395 | 5.4% | 7.0% | -67 | -0.9pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 316 | 4.3% | 4.0% | 299 | 4.1% | 3.6% | +17 | +0.2pp |
| Chaldean Catholic | 210 | 2.9% | 3.0% | 172 | 2.4% | 2.2% | +38 | +0.5pp |
| Assyrian Church of the East | 201 | 2.7% | 4.0% | 152 | 2.1% | 3.2% | +49 | +0.6pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 105 | 1.4% | 1.3% | 123 | 1.7% | 1.3% | -18 | -0.3pp |
| Total | 7,341 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 7,298 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +43 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.