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, Western Catholic was the most common religious affiliation among residents in Kelso (NSW), accounting for 32.6% (3,268 people). This share was higher than Bathurst Regional (A) (28.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 1,204 people and 9.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Kelso (NSW) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Kelso (NSW) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Bathurst Regional (A) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Kelso (NSW), with comparison markers for Bathurst Regional (A).
Western Catholic
2021 count
3,268
% of total
32.6%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
3,268
32.6%
-2.2pp
No Religion, so described
2021 count
3,112
% of total
31.0%
Change from 2016
+9.7pp
3,112
31.0%
+9.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
1,604
% of total
16.0%
Change from 2016
-4.6pp
1,604
16.0%
-4.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
611
% of total
6.1%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
611
6.1%
-1.4pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
321
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
321
3.2%
-0.5pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
306
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
306
3.1%
-0.8pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
124
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
124
1.2%
0.0pp
Hinduism
2021 count
93
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
93
0.9%
+0.5pp
Baptist
2021 count
90
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
90
0.9%
-0.2pp
Islam
2021 count
86
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
86
0.9%
+0.3pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Western Catholic
+141
-2.2pp
No Religion, so described
+1,204
+9.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-244
-4.6pp
Not stated
-62
-1.4pp
Presbyterian
-15
-0.5pp
Uniting Church
-47
-0.8pp
Christianity, nfd
+16
0.0pp
Hinduism
+54
+0.5pp
Baptist
-11
-0.2pp
Islam
+30
+0.3pp
Data table
Religion for Kelso (NSW). 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 | |
| Western Catholic | 3,268 | 32.6% | 28.4% | 3,127 | 34.8% | 31.1% | +141 | -2.2pp |
| No Religion, so described | 3,112 | 31.0% | 32.4% | 1,908 | 21.3% | 22.4% | +1,204 | +9.7pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 1,604 | 16.0% | 15.7% | 1,848 | 20.6% | 19.1% | -244 | -4.6pp |
| Not stated | 611 | 6.1% | 8.0% | 673 | 7.5% | 10.8% | -62 | -1.4pp |
| Presbyterian | 321 | 3.2% | 3.4% | 336 | 3.7% | 4.2% | -15 | -0.5pp |
| Uniting Church | 306 | 3.1% | 2.9% | 353 | 3.9% | 3.7% | -47 | -0.8pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 124 | 1.2% | 1.5% | 108 | 1.2% | 1.5% | +16 | 0.0pp |
| Hinduism | 93 | 0.9% | 1.0% | 39 | 0.4% | 0.5% | +54 | +0.5pp |
| Baptist | 90 | 0.9% | 1.1% | 101 | 1.1% | 1.3% | -11 | -0.2pp |
| Islam | 86 | 0.9% | 0.6% | 56 | 0.6% | 0.4% | +30 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 10,030 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 8,976 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,054 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.