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 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
Western Catholic
Anglican Church of Australia
Not stated
Presbyterian
Uniting Church
Buddhism
Christianity, nfd
Baptist
Lutheran
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.