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, 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
Western Catholic
Anglican Church of Australia
Not stated
Uniting Church
Christianity, nfd
Presbyterian
Greek Orthodox
Hinduism
Buddhism
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.