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 Bega Valley (A), accounting for 46.9% (16,846 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (37.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 5,176 people and 11.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Bega Valley (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Bega Valley (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Bega Valley (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
16,846
% of total
46.9%
Change from 2016
+11.8pp
16,846
46.9%
+11.8pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
5,881
% of total
16.4%
Change from 2016
-5.5pp
5,881
16.4%
-5.5pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
5,437
% of total
15.1%
Change from 2016
-2.8pp
5,437
15.1%
-2.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
2,976
% of total
8.3%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
2,976
8.3%
-1.7pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
981
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
981
2.7%
-1.0pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
698
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
698
1.9%
0.0pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
676
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
676
1.9%
-1.0pp
Buddhism
2021 count
345
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
345
1.0%
0.0pp
Baptist
2021 count
293
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
293
0.8%
-0.3pp
Jehovah's Witnesses
2021 count
266
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
266
0.7%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+5,176
+11.8pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-1,394
-5.5pp
Western Catholic
-512
-2.8pp
Not stated
-333
-1.7pp
Uniting Church
-264
-1.0pp
Christianity, nfd
+51
0.0pp
Presbyterian
-273
-1.0pp
Buddhism
0
0.0pp
Baptist
-68
-0.3pp
Jehovah's Witnesses
+51
+0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Bega Valley (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 | 16,846 | 46.9% | 37.4% | 11,670 | 35.1% | 26.0% | +5,176 | +11.8pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 5,881 | 16.4% | 17.0% | 7,275 | 21.9% | 21.9% | -1,394 | -5.5pp |
| Western Catholic | 5,437 | 15.1% | 21.0% | 5,949 | 17.9% | 23.8% | -512 | -2.8pp |
| Not stated | 2,976 | 8.3% | 7.7% | 3,309 | 10.0% | 9.3% | -333 | -1.7pp |
| Uniting Church | 981 | 2.7% | 3.3% | 1,245 | 3.7% | 4.5% | -264 | -1.0pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 698 | 1.9% | 2.2% | 647 | 1.9% | 2.2% | +51 | 0.0pp |
| Presbyterian | 676 | 1.9% | 2.6% | 949 | 2.9% | 3.5% | -273 | -1.0pp |
| Buddhism | 345 | 1.0% | 0.8% | 345 | 1.0% | 0.8% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Baptist | 293 | 0.8% | 1.2% | 361 | 1.1% | 1.3% | -68 | -0.3pp |
| Jehovah's Witnesses | 266 | 0.7% | 0.4% | 215 | 0.6% | 0.4% | +51 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 35,908 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 33,203 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,705 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.