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, 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.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Kelso (NSW), with comparison markers for Bathurst Regional (A).
Western Catholic
No Religion, so described
Anglican Church of Australia
Not stated
Presbyterian
Uniting Church
Christianity, nfd
Hinduism
Baptist
Islam
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.