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, Buddhism was the most common religious affiliation among residents in Bonnyrigg, accounting for 28.2% (2,760 people). This share was higher than Fairfield (C) (19.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 501 people and 3.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Bonnyrigg - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Bonnyrigg in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Fairfield (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Bonnyrigg, with comparison markers for Fairfield (C).
Buddhism
Western Catholic
No Religion, so described
Not stated
Islam
Christianity, nfd
Anglican Church of Australia
Serbian Orthodox
Assyrian Church of the East
Chaldean Catholic
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Buddhism
+102
-2.4pp
Western Catholic
+130
-1.3pp
No Religion, so described
+501
+3.6pp
Not stated
+35
-0.5pp
Islam
+146
+1.1pp
Christianity, nfd
+112
+0.8pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-2
-0.3pp
Serbian Orthodox
+22
0.0pp
Assyrian Church of the East
+76
+0.6pp
Chaldean Catholic
+51
+0.4pp
Data table
Religion for Bonnyrigg. 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 | |
| Buddhism | 2,760 | 28.2% | 19.9% | 2,658 | 30.6% | 20.7% | +102 | -2.4pp |
| Western Catholic | 2,122 | 21.7% | 26.3% | 1,992 | 23.0% | 28.1% | +130 | -1.3pp |
| No Religion, so described | 1,667 | 17.0% | 14.6% | 1,166 | 13.4% | 12.6% | +501 | +3.6pp |
| Not stated | 722 | 7.4% | 7.0% | 687 | 7.9% | 7.0% | +35 | -0.5pp |
| Islam | 456 | 4.7% | 6.3% | 310 | 3.6% | 5.9% | +146 | +1.1pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 355 | 3.6% | 4.0% | 243 | 2.8% | 3.6% | +112 | +0.8pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 245 | 2.5% | 2.6% | 247 | 2.8% | 3.7% | -2 | -0.3pp |
| Serbian Orthodox | 215 | 2.2% | 1.4% | 193 | 2.2% | 1.4% | +22 | 0.0pp |
| Assyrian Church of the East | 202 | 2.1% | 4.0% | 126 | 1.5% | 3.2% | +76 | +0.6pp |
| Chaldean Catholic | 147 | 1.5% | 3.0% | 96 | 1.1% | 2.2% | +51 | +0.4pp |
| Total | 9,779 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 8,675 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,104 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.