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 Bangalow, accounting for 60.5% (1,658 people). This share was higher than Byron (A) (57.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 678 people and 12.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Bangalow - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Bangalow in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Byron (A) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Bangalow, with comparison markers for Byron (A).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
1,658
% of total
60.5%
Change from 2016
+12.1pp
1,658
60.5%
+12.1pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
317
% of total
11.6%
Change from 2016
-4.1pp
317
11.6%
-4.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
299
% of total
10.9%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
299
10.9%
+0.9pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
204
% of total
7.4%
Change from 2016
-3.4pp
204
7.4%
-3.4pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
51
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
51
1.9%
-1.3pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
37
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
37
1.4%
-0.7pp
Buddhism
2021 count
27
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
27
1.0%
-0.8pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
27
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
27
1.0%
+0.2pp
Inadequately described
2021 count
22
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
22
0.8%
+0.5pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
17
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
17
0.6%
-0.6pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+678
+12.1pp
Western Catholic
-1
-4.1pp
Not stated
+97
+0.9pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-15
-3.4pp
Presbyterian
-14
-1.3pp
Uniting Church
-6
-0.7pp
Buddhism
-9
-0.8pp
Christianity, nfd
+11
+0.2pp
Inadequately described
+15
+0.5pp
Pentecostal, nfd
-8
-0.6pp
Data table
Religion for Bangalow. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Byron (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Byron (A)% | Count | % | Byron (A)% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 1,658 | 60.5% | 57.7% | 980 | 48.4% | 46.3% | +678 | +12.1pp |
| Western Catholic | 317 | 11.6% | 10.4% | 318 | 15.7% | 12.5% | -1 | -4.1pp |
| Not stated | 299 | 10.9% | 11.9% | 202 | 10.0% | 15.6% | +97 | +0.9pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 204 | 7.4% | 6.8% | 219 | 10.8% | 9.7% | -15 | -3.4pp |
| Presbyterian | 51 | 1.9% | 1.2% | 65 | 3.2% | 2.2% | -14 | -1.3pp |
| Uniting Church | 37 | 1.4% | 1.7% | 43 | 2.1% | 2.8% | -6 | -0.7pp |
| Buddhism | 27 | 1.0% | 2.1% | 36 | 1.8% | 2.5% | -9 | -0.8pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 27 | 1.0% | 1.1% | 16 | 0.8% | 1.3% | +11 | +0.2pp |
| Inadequately described | 22 | 0.8% | 0.8% | 7 | 0.3% | 0.9% | +15 | +0.5pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 17 | 0.6% | 0.5% | 25 | 1.2% | 0.6% | -8 | -0.6pp |
| Total | 2,740 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,023 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +717 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.