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 Sunbury, accounting for 42.3% (16,422 people). This share was higher than Hume (C) (19%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 4,712 people and 9.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Sunbury - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Sunbury in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Hume (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Sunbury, with comparison markers for Hume (C).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
16,422
% of total
42.3%
Change from 2016
+9.9pp
16,422
42.3%
+9.9pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
10,784
% of total
27.8%
Change from 2016
-3.0pp
10,784
27.8%
-3.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
3,308
% of total
8.5%
Change from 2016
-3.6pp
3,308
8.5%
-3.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,906
% of total
4.9%
Change from 2016
-2.7pp
1,906
4.9%
-2.7pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
1,058
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
1,058
2.7%
-1.2pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
857
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
857
2.2%
0.0pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
552
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
552
1.4%
-0.5pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
443
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
443
1.1%
0.0pp
Hinduism
2021 count
410
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
410
1.1%
+0.7pp
Buddhism
2021 count
399
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
399
1.0%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+4,712
+9.9pp
Western Catholic
-314
-3.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-1,072
-3.6pp
Not stated
-820
-2.7pp
Uniting Church
-337
-1.2pp
Christianity, nfd
+70
0.0pp
Presbyterian
-149
-0.5pp
Greek Orthodox
+52
0.0pp
Hinduism
+264
+0.7pp
Buddhism
+80
+0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Sunbury. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Hume (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Hume (C)% | Count | % | Hume (C)% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 16,422 | 42.3% | 19.0% | 11,710 | 32.4% | 17.0% | +4,712 | +9.9pp |
| Western Catholic | 10,784 | 27.8% | 24.9% | 11,098 | 30.8% | 29.0% | -314 | -3.0pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 3,308 | 8.5% | 3.5% | 4,380 | 12.1% | 5.5% | -1,072 | -3.6pp |
| Not stated | 1,906 | 4.9% | 6.2% | 2,726 | 7.6% | 8.2% | -820 | -2.7pp |
| Uniting Church | 1,058 | 2.7% | 1.1% | 1,395 | 3.9% | 1.8% | -337 | -1.2pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 857 | 2.2% | 2.9% | 787 | 2.2% | 2.6% | +70 | 0.0pp |
| Presbyterian | 552 | 1.4% | 0.7% | 701 | 1.9% | 1.1% | -149 | -0.5pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 443 | 1.1% | 2.3% | 391 | 1.1% | 2.6% | +52 | 0.0pp |
| Hinduism | 410 | 1.1% | 4.8% | 146 | 0.4% | 2.8% | +264 | +0.7pp |
| Buddhism | 399 | 1.0% | 2.5% | 319 | 0.9% | 2.5% | +80 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 38,833 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 36,089 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,744 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.