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 Wollongbar, accounting for 41.6% (1,357 people). This share was lower than Ballina (A) (42.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 550 people and 12.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Wollongbar - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Wollongbar in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Ballina (A) and change since 2016.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Wollongbar, with comparison markers for Ballina (A).
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Anglican Church of Australia
Not stated
Uniting Church
Presbyterian
Christianity, nfd
Baptist
Pentecostal, nfd
Seventh-day Adventist
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+550
+12.8pp
Western Catholic
-27
-4.1pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-69
-4.9pp
Not stated
-52
-2.6pp
Uniting Church
-3
-0.8pp
Presbyterian
-11
-1.0pp
Christianity, nfd
+11
-0.2pp
Baptist
+13
+0.2pp
Pentecostal, nfd
+7
+0.1pp
Seventh-day Adventist
+18
+0.5pp
Data table
Religion for Wollongbar. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Ballina (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Ballina (A)% | Count | % | Ballina (A)% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 1,357 | 41.6% | 42.4% | 807 | 28.8% | 30.2% | +550 | +12.8pp |
| Western Catholic | 605 | 18.5% | 19.7% | 632 | 22.6% | 21.9% | -27 | -4.1pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 477 | 14.6% | 15.0% | 546 | 19.5% | 19.1% | -69 | -4.9pp |
| Not stated | 140 | 4.3% | 6.8% | 192 | 6.9% | 9.7% | -52 | -2.6pp |
| Uniting Church | 134 | 4.1% | 3.2% | 137 | 4.9% | 4.3% | -3 | -0.8pp |
| Presbyterian | 119 | 3.6% | 3.2% | 130 | 4.6% | 4.2% | -11 | -1.0pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 117 | 3.6% | 2.1% | 106 | 3.8% | 2.2% | +11 | -0.2pp |
| Baptist | 67 | 2.1% | 1.1% | 54 | 1.9% | 1.2% | +13 | +0.2pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 41 | 1.3% | 0.8% | 34 | 1.2% | 0.9% | +7 | +0.1pp |
| Seventh-day Adventist | 33 | 1.0% | 0.5% | 15 | 0.5% | 0.5% | +18 | +0.5pp |
| Total | 3,265 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,798 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +467 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.