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 Sunrise Beach, accounting for 52.5% (1,941 people). This share was higher than Noosa (S) (48.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 495 people and 10.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Sunrise Beach - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Sunrise Beach in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Noosa (S) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Sunrise Beach, with comparison markers for Noosa (S).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
1,941
% of total
52.5%
Change from 2016
+10.3pp
1,941
52.5%
+10.3pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
632
% of total
17.1%
Change from 2016
-2.9pp
632
17.1%
-2.9pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
413
% of total
11.2%
Change from 2016
-3.4pp
413
11.2%
-3.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
236
% of total
6.4%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
236
6.4%
-0.5pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
68
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
68
1.8%
-1.2pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
63
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
63
1.7%
-0.4pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
57
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
57
1.5%
-0.6pp
Lutheran
2021 count
41
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
41
1.1%
-0.1pp
Buddhism
2021 count
37
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
37
1.0%
-0.5pp
Inadequately described
2021 count
29
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
29
0.8%
0.0pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+495
+10.3pp
Western Catholic
-54
-2.9pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-86
-3.4pp
Not stated
0
-0.5pp
Uniting Church
-34
-1.2pp
Christianity, nfd
-8
-0.4pp
Presbyterian
-15
-0.6pp
Lutheran
-1
-0.1pp
Buddhism
-14
-0.5pp
Inadequately described
+2
0.0pp
Data table
Religion for Sunrise Beach. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Noosa (S).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Noosa (S)% | Count | % | Noosa (S)% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 1,941 | 52.5% | 48.2% | 1,446 | 42.2% | 36.9% | +495 | +10.3pp |
| Western Catholic | 632 | 17.1% | 15.1% | 686 | 20.0% | 17.5% | -54 | -2.9pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 413 | 11.2% | 13.6% | 499 | 14.6% | 17.5% | -86 | -3.4pp |
| Not stated | 236 | 6.4% | 8.0% | 236 | 6.9% | 9.3% | 0 | -0.5pp |
| Uniting Church | 68 | 1.8% | 3.1% | 102 | 3.0% | 4.4% | -34 | -1.2pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 63 | 1.7% | 2.3% | 71 | 2.1% | 2.4% | -8 | -0.4pp |
| Presbyterian | 57 | 1.5% | 2.1% | 72 | 2.1% | 3.1% | -15 | -0.6pp |
| Lutheran | 41 | 1.1% | 0.8% | 42 | 1.2% | 1.1% | -1 | -0.1pp |
| Buddhism | 37 | 1.0% | 1.1% | 51 | 1.5% | 1.4% | -14 | -0.5pp |
| Inadequately described | 29 | 0.8% | 0.4% | 27 | 0.8% | 0.6% | +2 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 3,695 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,423 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +272 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.