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 Cessnock (C), accounting for 41.1% (26,127 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (37.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 11,791 people and 15.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Cessnock (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Cessnock (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Cessnock (C), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
No Religion, so described
Anglican Church of Australia
Western Catholic
Not stated
Uniting Church
Presbyterian
Christianity, nfd
Baptist
Buddhism
Pentecostal, nfd
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+11,791
+15.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-2,492
-7.3pp
Western Catholic
+39
-2.5pp
Not stated
-553
-2.2pp
Uniting Church
-671
-1.7pp
Presbyterian
-562
-1.3pp
Christianity, nfd
+121
0.0pp
Baptist
+84
0.0pp
Buddhism
+51
0.0pp
Pentecostal, nfd
+11
0.0pp
Data table
Religion for Cessnock (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 | 26,127 | 41.1% | 37.4% | 14,336 | 25.8% | 26.0% | +11,791 | +15.3pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 12,223 | 19.2% | 17.0% | 14,715 | 26.5% | 21.9% | -2,492 | -7.3pp |
| Western Catholic | 11,244 | 17.7% | 21.0% | 11,205 | 20.2% | 23.8% | +39 | -2.5pp |
| Not stated | 5,204 | 8.2% | 7.7% | 5,757 | 10.4% | 9.3% | -553 | -2.2pp |
| Uniting Church | 2,323 | 3.7% | 3.3% | 2,994 | 5.4% | 4.5% | -671 | -1.7pp |
| Presbyterian | 1,406 | 2.2% | 2.6% | 1,968 | 3.5% | 3.5% | -562 | -1.3pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 1,066 | 1.7% | 2.2% | 945 | 1.7% | 2.2% | +121 | 0.0pp |
| Baptist | 706 | 1.1% | 1.2% | 622 | 1.1% | 1.3% | +84 | 0.0pp |
| Buddhism | 371 | 0.6% | 0.8% | 320 | 0.6% | 0.8% | +51 | 0.0pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 356 | 0.6% | 0.7% | 345 | 0.6% | 0.8% | +11 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 63,625 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 55,563 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +8,062 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.