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 Regional (A), accounting for 32.4% (14,115 people). This share was lower than Regional NSW (37.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 4,870 people and 10 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Bathurst Regional (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Bathurst Regional (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Bathurst Regional (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
14,115
% of total
32.4%
Change from 2016
+10.0pp
14,115
32.4%
+10.0pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
12,368
% of total
28.4%
Change from 2016
-2.7pp
12,368
28.4%
-2.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
6,833
% of total
15.7%
Change from 2016
-3.4pp
6,833
15.7%
-3.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
3,474
% of total
8.0%
Change from 2016
-2.8pp
3,474
8.0%
-2.8pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
1,476
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
1,476
3.4%
-0.8pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
1,266
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
1,266
2.9%
-0.8pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
666
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
666
1.5%
0.0pp
Baptist
2021 count
468
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
468
1.1%
-0.2pp
Hinduism
2021 count
438
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
438
1.0%
+0.5pp
Buddhism
2021 count
294
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
294
0.7%
0.0pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+4,870
+10.0pp
Western Catholic
-463
-2.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-1,061
-3.4pp
Not stated
-979
-2.8pp
Presbyterian
-244
-0.8pp
Uniting Church
-250
-0.8pp
Christianity, nfd
+42
0.0pp
Baptist
-59
-0.2pp
Hinduism
+236
+0.5pp
Buddhism
-12
0.0pp
Data table
Religion for Bathurst Regional (A). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NSW.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional NSW% | Count | % | Regional NSW% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 14,115 | 32.4% | 37.4% | 9,245 | 22.4% | 26.0% | +4,870 | +10.0pp |
| Western Catholic | 12,368 | 28.4% | 21.0% | 12,831 | 31.1% | 23.8% | -463 | -2.7pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 6,833 | 15.7% | 17.0% | 7,894 | 19.1% | 21.9% | -1,061 | -3.4pp |
| Not stated | 3,474 | 8.0% | 7.7% | 4,453 | 10.8% | 9.3% | -979 | -2.8pp |
| Presbyterian | 1,476 | 3.4% | 2.6% | 1,720 | 4.2% | 3.5% | -244 | -0.8pp |
| Uniting Church | 1,266 | 2.9% | 3.3% | 1,516 | 3.7% | 4.5% | -250 | -0.8pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 666 | 1.5% | 2.2% | 624 | 1.5% | 2.2% | +42 | 0.0pp |
| Baptist | 468 | 1.1% | 1.2% | 527 | 1.3% | 1.3% | -59 | -0.2pp |
| Hinduism | 438 | 1.0% | 0.7% | 202 | 0.5% | 0.4% | +236 | +0.5pp |
| Buddhism | 294 | 0.7% | 0.8% | 306 | 0.7% | 0.8% | -12 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 43,549 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 41,291 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,258 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.