Cultural diversity
Religion
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.
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 Byron (A), accounting for 57.7% (20,841 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (37.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 6,223 people and 11.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Byron (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Byron (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Byron (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
No Religion, so described
Not stated
Western Catholic
Anglican Church of Australia
Buddhism
Uniting Church
Presbyterian
Judaism
Christianity, nfd
Inadequately described
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+6,223
+11.4pp
Not stated
-629
-3.7pp
Western Catholic
-187
-2.1pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-618
-2.9pp
Buddhism
-39
-0.4pp
Uniting Church
-256
-1.1pp
Presbyterian
-237
-1.0pp
Judaism
+138
+0.3pp
Christianity, nfd
-16
-0.2pp
Inadequately described
+16
-0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Byron (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 | 20,841 | 57.7% | 37.4% | 14,618 | 46.3% | 26.0% | +6,223 | +11.4pp |
| Not stated | 4,290 | 11.9% | 7.7% | 4,919 | 15.6% | 9.3% | -629 | -3.7pp |
| Western Catholic | 3,770 | 10.4% | 21.0% | 3,957 | 12.5% | 23.8% | -187 | -2.1pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 2,458 | 6.8% | 17.0% | 3,076 | 9.7% | 21.9% | -618 | -2.9pp |
| Buddhism | 753 | 2.1% | 0.8% | 792 | 2.5% | 0.8% | -39 | -0.4pp |
| Uniting Church | 631 | 1.7% | 3.3% | 887 | 2.8% | 4.5% | -256 | -1.1pp |
| Presbyterian | 442 | 1.2% | 2.6% | 679 | 2.2% | 3.5% | -237 | -1.0pp |
| Judaism | 429 | 1.2% | 0.1% | 291 | 0.9% | 0.1% | +138 | +0.3pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 408 | 1.1% | 2.2% | 424 | 1.3% | 2.2% | -16 | -0.2pp |
| Inadequately described | 304 | 0.8% | 0.4% | 288 | 0.9% | 0.4% | +16 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 36,123 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 31,566 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +4,557 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.