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 Sunshine Beach, accounting for 52% (1,285 people). This share was higher than Noosa (S) (48.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 269 people and 10.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Sunshine Beach - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Sunshine Beach in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Noosa (S) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Sunshine Beach, with comparison markers for Noosa (S).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
1,285
% of total
52.0%
Change from 2016
+10.6pp
1,285
52.0%
+10.6pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
394
% of total
15.9%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
394
15.9%
-2.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
311
% of total
12.6%
Change from 2016
-2.7pp
311
12.6%
-2.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
203
% of total
8.2%
Change from 2016
-3.6pp
203
8.2%
-3.6pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
47
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
47
1.9%
-0.1pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
47
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
47
1.9%
-0.5pp
Buddhism
2021 count
43
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
43
1.7%
+0.3pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
32
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
32
1.3%
0.0pp
Baptist
2021 count
22
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
22
0.9%
0.0pp
Lutheran
2021 count
20
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
20
0.8%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+269
+10.6pp
Western Catholic
-51
-2.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-64
-2.7pp
Not stated
-87
-3.6pp
Presbyterian
-2
-0.1pp
Uniting Church
-11
-0.5pp
Buddhism
+8
+0.3pp
Christianity, nfd
-1
0.0pp
Baptist
+1
0.0pp
Lutheran
-2
-0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Sunshine 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 | 1,285 | 52.0% | 48.2% | 1,016 | 41.4% | 36.9% | +269 | +10.6pp |
| Western Catholic | 394 | 15.9% | 15.1% | 445 | 18.1% | 17.5% | -51 | -2.2pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 311 | 12.6% | 13.6% | 375 | 15.3% | 17.5% | -64 | -2.7pp |
| Not stated | 203 | 8.2% | 8.0% | 290 | 11.8% | 9.3% | -87 | -3.6pp |
| Presbyterian | 47 | 1.9% | 2.1% | 49 | 2.0% | 3.1% | -2 | -0.1pp |
| Uniting Church | 47 | 1.9% | 3.1% | 58 | 2.4% | 4.4% | -11 | -0.5pp |
| Buddhism | 43 | 1.7% | 1.1% | 35 | 1.4% | 1.4% | +8 | +0.3pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 32 | 1.3% | 2.3% | 33 | 1.3% | 2.4% | -1 | 0.0pp |
| Baptist | 22 | 0.9% | 0.8% | 21 | 0.9% | 1.0% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Lutheran | 20 | 0.8% | 0.8% | 22 | 0.9% | 1.1% | -2 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 2,471 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,453 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +18 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.