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, Western Catholic was the most common religious affiliation among residents in Bourke (A), accounting for 34.5% (798 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (21%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Western Catholic, which decreased by 167 people and 2.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Bourke (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Bourke (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Bourke (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
Western Catholic
2021 count
798
% of total
34.5%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
798
34.5%
-2.2pp
No Religion, so described
2021 count
483
% of total
20.9%
Change from 2016
+8.2pp
483
20.9%
+8.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
444
% of total
19.2%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
444
19.2%
-0.8pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
322
% of total
13.9%
Change from 2016
-3.8pp
322
13.9%
-3.8pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
64
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
64
2.8%
-0.7pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
51
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
51
2.2%
-0.3pp
Baptist
2021 count
34
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
34
1.5%
+0.4pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
33
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
33
1.4%
-0.7pp
Hinduism
2021 count
28
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
28
1.2%
+0.8pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
15
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
15
0.6%
-0.5pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Western Catholic
-167
-2.2pp
No Religion, so described
+149
+8.2pp
Not stated
-82
-0.8pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-144
-3.8pp
Presbyterian
-28
-0.7pp
Christianity, nfd
-14
-0.3pp
Baptist
+5
+0.4pp
Uniting Church
-21
-0.7pp
Hinduism
+17
+0.8pp
Pentecostal, nfd
-13
-0.5pp
Data table
Religion for Bourke (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 | |
| Western Catholic | 798 | 34.5% | 21.0% | 965 | 36.7% | 23.8% | -167 | -2.2pp |
| No Religion, so described | 483 | 20.9% | 37.4% | 334 | 12.7% | 26.0% | +149 | +8.2pp |
| Not stated | 444 | 19.2% | 7.7% | 526 | 20.0% | 9.3% | -82 | -0.8pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 322 | 13.9% | 17.0% | 466 | 17.7% | 21.9% | -144 | -3.8pp |
| Presbyterian | 64 | 2.8% | 2.6% | 92 | 3.5% | 3.5% | -28 | -0.7pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 51 | 2.2% | 2.2% | 65 | 2.5% | 2.2% | -14 | -0.3pp |
| Baptist | 34 | 1.5% | 1.2% | 29 | 1.1% | 1.3% | +5 | +0.4pp |
| Uniting Church | 33 | 1.4% | 3.3% | 54 | 2.1% | 4.5% | -21 | -0.7pp |
| Hinduism | 28 | 1.2% | 0.7% | 11 | 0.4% | 0.4% | +17 | +0.8pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 15 | 0.6% | 0.7% | 28 | 1.1% | 0.8% | -13 | -0.5pp |
| Total | 2,313 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,626 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -313 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.