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 Bellingen (A), accounting for 50.9% (6,735 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (37.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 1,742 people and 11.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Bellingen (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Bellingen (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Bellingen (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
6,735
% of total
50.9%
Change from 2016
+11.5pp
6,735
50.9%
+11.5pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
1,863
% of total
14.1%
Change from 2016
-4.7pp
1,863
14.1%
-4.7pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
1,555
% of total
11.7%
Change from 2016
-3.0pp
1,555
11.7%
-3.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,244
% of total
9.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
1,244
9.4%
-0.1pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
470
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
470
3.6%
-1.5pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
277
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
277
2.1%
-0.1pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
257
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
257
1.9%
-0.8pp
Buddhism
2021 count
174
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
174
1.3%
-0.4pp
Inadequately described
2021 count
71
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
71
0.5%
-0.1pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
65
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
65
0.5%
-0.3pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+1,742
+11.5pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-527
-4.7pp
Western Catholic
-306
-3.0pp
Not stated
+38
-0.1pp
Uniting Church
-171
-1.5pp
Christianity, nfd
+3
-0.1pp
Presbyterian
-87
-0.8pp
Buddhism
-42
-0.4pp
Inadequately described
-9
-0.1pp
Pentecostal, nfd
-33
-0.3pp
Data table
Religion for Bellingen (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 | 6,735 | 50.9% | 37.4% | 4,993 | 39.4% | 26.0% | +1,742 | +11.5pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 1,863 | 14.1% | 17.0% | 2,390 | 18.8% | 21.9% | -527 | -4.7pp |
| Western Catholic | 1,555 | 11.7% | 21.0% | 1,861 | 14.7% | 23.8% | -306 | -3.0pp |
| Not stated | 1,244 | 9.4% | 7.7% | 1,206 | 9.5% | 9.3% | +38 | -0.1pp |
| Uniting Church | 470 | 3.6% | 3.3% | 641 | 5.1% | 4.5% | -171 | -1.5pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 277 | 2.1% | 2.2% | 274 | 2.2% | 2.2% | +3 | -0.1pp |
| Presbyterian | 257 | 1.9% | 2.6% | 344 | 2.7% | 3.5% | -87 | -0.8pp |
| Buddhism | 174 | 1.3% | 0.8% | 216 | 1.7% | 0.8% | -42 | -0.4pp |
| Inadequately described | 71 | 0.5% | 0.4% | 80 | 0.6% | 0.4% | -9 | -0.1pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 65 | 0.5% | 0.7% | 98 | 0.8% | 0.8% | -33 | -0.3pp |
| Total | 13,239 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 12,684 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +555 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.