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 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
2021 count
20,841
% of total
57.7%
Change from 2016
+11.4pp
20,841
57.7%
+11.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
4,290
% of total
11.9%
Change from 2016
-3.7pp
4,290
11.9%
-3.7pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
3,770
% of total
10.4%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
3,770
10.4%
-2.1pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
2,458
% of total
6.8%
Change from 2016
-2.9pp
2,458
6.8%
-2.9pp
Buddhism
2021 count
753
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
753
2.1%
-0.4pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
631
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
631
1.7%
-1.1pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
442
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
442
1.2%
-1.0pp
Judaism
2021 count
429
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
429
1.2%
+0.3pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
408
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
408
1.1%
-0.2pp
Inadequately described
2021 count
304
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
304
0.8%
-0.1pp
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.