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 Bathurst, accounting for 34.6% (2,424 people). This share was higher than Bathurst Regional (A) (32.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 526 people and 7.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Bathurst - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Bathurst in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Bathurst Regional (A) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Bathurst, with comparison markers for Bathurst Regional (A).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
2,424
% of total
34.6%
Change from 2016
+7.2pp
2,424
34.6%
+7.2pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
1,778
% of total
25.4%
Change from 2016
-2.7pp
1,778
25.4%
-2.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
926
% of total
13.2%
Change from 2016
-3.0pp
926
13.2%
-3.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
470
% of total
6.7%
Change from 2016
-3.7pp
470
6.7%
-3.7pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
239
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
239
3.4%
-1.0pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
204
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
204
2.9%
-0.1pp
Hinduism
2021 count
194
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
194
2.8%
+1.4pp
Buddhism
2021 count
112
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
112
1.6%
+0.1pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
112
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
112
1.6%
+0.4pp
Islam
2021 count
110
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
110
1.6%
+0.8pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+526
+7.2pp
Western Catholic
-168
-2.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-192
-3.0pp
Not stated
-252
-3.7pp
Presbyterian
-65
-1.0pp
Uniting Church
-2
-0.1pp
Hinduism
+99
+1.4pp
Buddhism
+10
+0.1pp
Christianity, nfd
+31
+0.4pp
Islam
+57
+0.8pp
Data table
Religion for Bathurst. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Bathurst Regional (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Bathurst Regional (A)% | Count | % | Bathurst Regional (A)% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 2,424 | 34.6% | 32.4% | 1,898 | 27.4% | 22.4% | +526 | +7.2pp |
| Western Catholic | 1,778 | 25.4% | 28.4% | 1,946 | 28.1% | 31.1% | -168 | -2.7pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 926 | 13.2% | 15.7% | 1,118 | 16.2% | 19.1% | -192 | -3.0pp |
| Not stated | 470 | 6.7% | 8.0% | 722 | 10.4% | 10.8% | -252 | -3.7pp |
| Presbyterian | 239 | 3.4% | 3.4% | 304 | 4.4% | 4.2% | -65 | -1.0pp |
| Uniting Church | 204 | 2.9% | 2.9% | 206 | 3.0% | 3.7% | -2 | -0.1pp |
| Hinduism | 194 | 2.8% | 1.0% | 95 | 1.4% | 0.5% | +99 | +1.4pp |
| Buddhism | 112 | 1.6% | 0.7% | 102 | 1.5% | 0.7% | +10 | +0.1pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 112 | 1.6% | 1.5% | 81 | 1.2% | 1.5% | +31 | +0.4pp |
| Islam | 110 | 1.6% | 0.6% | 53 | 0.8% | 0.4% | +57 | +0.8pp |
| Total | 7,005 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,917 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +88 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.