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 Broken Hill (C), accounting for 48.8% (8,585 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (37.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 2,360 people and 13.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Broken Hill (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Broken Hill (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Broken Hill (C), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
8,585
% of total
48.8%
Change from 2016
+13.6pp
8,585
48.8%
+13.6pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
3,161
% of total
18.0%
Change from 2016
-5.1pp
3,161
18.0%
-5.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,736
% of total
9.9%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
1,736
9.9%
+0.1pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
1,543
% of total
8.8%
Change from 2016
-3.5pp
1,543
8.8%
-3.5pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
1,067
% of total
6.1%
Change from 2016
-3.1pp
1,067
6.1%
-3.1pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
224
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
224
1.3%
-0.4pp
Baptist
2021 count
155
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
155
0.9%
-0.2pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
135
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
135
0.8%
-0.2pp
Salvation Army
2021 count
124
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
124
0.7%
-0.4pp
Lutheran
2021 count
110
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
110
0.6%
-0.4pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+2,360
+13.6pp
Western Catholic
-931
-5.1pp
Not stated
+2
+0.1pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-637
-3.5pp
Uniting Church
-567
-3.1pp
Christianity, nfd
-68
-0.4pp
Baptist
-43
-0.2pp
Presbyterian
-42
-0.2pp
Salvation Army
-67
-0.4pp
Lutheran
-61
-0.4pp
Data table
Religion for Broken Hill (C). 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 | 8,585 | 48.8% | 37.4% | 6,225 | 35.2% | 26.0% | +2,360 | +13.6pp |
| Western Catholic | 3,161 | 18.0% | 21.0% | 4,092 | 23.1% | 23.8% | -931 | -5.1pp |
| Not stated | 1,736 | 9.9% | 7.7% | 1,734 | 9.8% | 9.3% | +2 | +0.1pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 1,543 | 8.8% | 17.0% | 2,180 | 12.3% | 21.9% | -637 | -3.5pp |
| Uniting Church | 1,067 | 6.1% | 3.3% | 1,634 | 9.2% | 4.5% | -567 | -3.1pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 224 | 1.3% | 2.2% | 292 | 1.7% | 2.2% | -68 | -0.4pp |
| Baptist | 155 | 0.9% | 1.2% | 198 | 1.1% | 1.3% | -43 | -0.2pp |
| Presbyterian | 135 | 0.8% | 2.6% | 177 | 1.0% | 3.5% | -42 | -0.2pp |
| Salvation Army | 124 | 0.7% | 0.2% | 191 | 1.1% | 0.3% | -67 | -0.4pp |
| Lutheran | 110 | 0.6% | 0.3% | 171 | 1.0% | 0.4% | -61 | -0.4pp |
| Total | 17,596 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 17,693 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -97 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.