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
Anglican Church of Australia
Western Catholic
Not stated
Uniting Church
Christianity, nfd
Presbyterian
Buddhism
Baptist
Jehovah's Witnesses
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.