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 West Bathurst, accounting for 37.8% (1,371 people). This share was higher than Bathurst Regional (A) (32.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 413 people and 11.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
West Bathurst - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for West 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 West Bathurst, with comparison markers for Bathurst Regional (A).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
1,371
% of total
37.8%
Change from 2016
+11.7pp
1,371
37.8%
+11.7pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
975
% of total
26.9%
Change from 2016
-4.3pp
975
26.9%
-4.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
509
% of total
14.0%
Change from 2016
-3.7pp
509
14.0%
-3.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
300
% of total
8.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
300
8.3%
+0.2pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
102
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
102
2.8%
-1.1pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
92
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
92
2.5%
-0.9pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
45
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
45
1.2%
-0.9pp
Baptist
2021 count
36
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
36
1.0%
-0.4pp
Buddhism
2021 count
33
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
33
0.9%
+0.1pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
26
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
26
0.7%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+413
+11.7pp
Western Catholic
-172
-4.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-142
-3.7pp
Not stated
+2
+0.2pp
Presbyterian
-43
-1.1pp
Uniting Church
-33
-0.9pp
Christianity, nfd
-32
-0.9pp
Baptist
-14
-0.4pp
Buddhism
+4
+0.1pp
Pentecostal, nfd
+7
+0.2pp
Data table
Religion for West 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 | 1,371 | 37.8% | 32.4% | 958 | 26.1% | 22.4% | +413 | +11.7pp |
| Western Catholic | 975 | 26.9% | 28.4% | 1,147 | 31.2% | 31.1% | -172 | -4.3pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 509 | 14.0% | 15.7% | 651 | 17.7% | 19.1% | -142 | -3.7pp |
| Not stated | 300 | 8.3% | 8.0% | 298 | 8.1% | 10.8% | +2 | +0.2pp |
| Presbyterian | 102 | 2.8% | 3.4% | 145 | 3.9% | 4.2% | -43 | -1.1pp |
| Uniting Church | 92 | 2.5% | 2.9% | 125 | 3.4% | 3.7% | -33 | -0.9pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 45 | 1.2% | 1.5% | 77 | 2.1% | 1.5% | -32 | -0.9pp |
| Baptist | 36 | 1.0% | 1.1% | 50 | 1.4% | 1.3% | -14 | -0.4pp |
| Buddhism | 33 | 0.9% | 0.7% | 29 | 0.8% | 0.7% | +4 | +0.1pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 26 | 0.7% | 0.6% | 19 | 0.5% | 0.5% | +7 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 3,631 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,675 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -44 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.