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 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.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Cessnock (C), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
26,127
% of total
41.1%
Change from 2016
+15.3pp
26,127
41.1%
+15.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
12,223
% of total
19.2%
Change from 2016
-7.3pp
12,223
19.2%
-7.3pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
11,244
% of total
17.7%
Change from 2016
-2.5pp
11,244
17.7%
-2.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
5,204
% of total
8.2%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
5,204
8.2%
-2.2pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
2,323
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
2,323
3.7%
-1.7pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
1,406
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
1,406
2.2%
-1.3pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
1,066
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
1,066
1.7%
0.0pp
Baptist
2021 count
706
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
706
1.1%
0.0pp
Buddhism
2021 count
371
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
371
0.6%
0.0pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
356
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
356
0.6%
0.0pp
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.