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 Central Coast (C) (NSW), accounting for 39.4% (136,578 people). This share was higher than Greater Sydney (30.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 46,014 people and 11.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Central Coast (C) (NSW) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Central Coast (C) (NSW) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Sydney and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Central Coast (C) (NSW), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
136,578
% of total
39.4%
Change from 2016
+11.8pp
136,578
39.4%
+11.8pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
75,084
% of total
21.7%
Change from 2016
-3.0pp
75,084
21.7%
-3.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
58,105
% of total
16.8%
Change from 2016
-5.7pp
58,105
16.8%
-5.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
21,305
% of total
6.1%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
21,305
6.1%
-1.7pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
8,318
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
8,318
2.4%
-0.8pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
7,796
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
7,796
2.2%
+0.1pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
6,775
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
6,775
2.0%
-0.6pp
Baptist
2021 count
5,199
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
5,199
1.5%
-0.2pp
Buddhism
2021 count
3,414
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
3,414
1.0%
0.0pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
2,954
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
2,954
0.9%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+46,014
+11.8pp
Western Catholic
-5,732
-3.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-15,708
-5.7pp
Not stated
-4,408
-1.7pp
Uniting Church
-2,188
-0.8pp
Christianity, nfd
+751
+0.1pp
Presbyterian
-1,777
-0.6pp
Baptist
-421
-0.2pp
Buddhism
+233
0.0pp
Pentecostal, nfd
-331
-0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Central Coast (C) (NSW). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Sydney.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 136,578 | 39.4% | 30.3% | 90,564 | 27.6% | 24.6% | +46,014 | +11.8pp |
| Western Catholic | 75,084 | 21.7% | 22.1% | 80,816 | 24.7% | 24.2% | -5,732 | -3.0pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 58,105 | 16.8% | 9.2% | 73,813 | 22.5% | 12.0% | -15,708 | -5.7pp |
| Not stated | 21,305 | 6.1% | 6.2% | 25,713 | 7.8% | 8.5% | -4,408 | -1.7pp |
| Uniting Church | 8,318 | 2.4% | 1.5% | 10,506 | 3.2% | 2.0% | -2,188 | -0.8pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 7,796 | 2.2% | 2.5% | 7,045 | 2.1% | 2.2% | +751 | +0.1pp |
| Presbyterian | 6,775 | 2.0% | 1.5% | 8,552 | 2.6% | 1.9% | -1,777 | -0.6pp |
| Baptist | 5,199 | 1.5% | 1.2% | 5,620 | 1.7% | 1.2% | -421 | -0.2pp |
| Buddhism | 3,414 | 1.0% | 3.8% | 3,181 | 1.0% | 3.9% | +233 | 0.0pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 2,954 | 0.9% | 0.8% | 3,285 | 1.0% | 1.0% | -331 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 346,579 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 327,733 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +18,846 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.