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, No religion was the most common religious affiliation among residents in Sandhurst, accounting for 40.9% (2,119 people). This share was lower than Frankston (C) (50.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 529 people and 8.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Sandhurst - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Sandhurst in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Frankston (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Sandhurst, with comparison markers for Frankston (C).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
2,119
% of total
40.9%
Change from 2016
+8.9pp
2,119
40.9%
+8.9pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
1,136
% of total
21.9%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
1,136
21.9%
-1.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
545
% of total
10.5%
Change from 2016
-2.4pp
545
10.5%
-2.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
200
% of total
3.9%
Change from 2016
-3.6pp
200
3.9%
-3.6pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
168
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
168
3.2%
-1.1pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
155
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
155
3.0%
+0.3pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
140
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
140
2.7%
+0.1pp
Hinduism
2021 count
136
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
136
2.6%
-0.1pp
Buddhism
2021 count
94
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
94
1.8%
+0.3pp
Islam
2021 count
88
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
88
1.7%
+0.5pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+529
+8.9pp
Western Catholic
-20
-1.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-97
-2.4pp
Not stated
-173
-3.6pp
Christianity, nfd
-46
-1.1pp
Greek Orthodox
+23
+0.3pp
Uniting Church
+10
+0.1pp
Hinduism
+1
-0.1pp
Buddhism
+18
+0.3pp
Islam
+26
+0.5pp
Data table
Religion for Sandhurst. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Frankston (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Frankston (C)% | Count | % | Frankston (C)% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 2,119 | 40.9% | 50.2% | 1,590 | 32.0% | 38.9% | +529 | +8.9pp |
| Western Catholic | 1,136 | 21.9% | 17.4% | 1,156 | 23.2% | 20.1% | -20 | -1.3pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 545 | 10.5% | 8.8% | 642 | 12.9% | 12.3% | -97 | -2.4pp |
| Not stated | 200 | 3.9% | 6.4% | 373 | 7.5% | 9.1% | -173 | -3.6pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 168 | 3.2% | 2.6% | 214 | 4.3% | 2.9% | -46 | -1.1pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 155 | 3.0% | 1.6% | 132 | 2.7% | 1.5% | +23 | +0.3pp |
| Uniting Church | 140 | 2.7% | 2.0% | 130 | 2.6% | 2.6% | +10 | +0.1pp |
| Hinduism | 136 | 2.6% | 1.0% | 135 | 2.7% | 1.0% | +1 | -0.1pp |
| Buddhism | 94 | 1.8% | 1.2% | 76 | 1.5% | 1.2% | +18 | +0.3pp |
| Islam | 88 | 1.7% | 0.8% | 62 | 1.2% | 0.7% | +26 | +0.5pp |
| Total | 5,178 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,975 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +203 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.