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 Clarence Valley (A), accounting for 38.1% (20,609 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (37.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 7,225 people and 11.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Clarence Valley (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Clarence Valley (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Clarence Valley (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
20,609
% of total
38.1%
Change from 2016
+11.7pp
20,609
38.1%
+11.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
10,533
% of total
19.5%
Change from 2016
-6.2pp
10,533
19.5%
-6.2pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
9,155
% of total
16.9%
Change from 2016
-3.1pp
9,155
16.9%
-3.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
5,491
% of total
10.1%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
5,491
10.1%
+0.1pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
2,474
% of total
4.6%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
2,474
4.6%
-1.4pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
1,484
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
1,484
2.7%
-1.0pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
1,032
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
1,032
1.9%
+0.1pp
Baptist
2021 count
643
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
643
1.2%
-0.1pp
Buddhism
2021 count
375
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
375
0.7%
0.0pp
Jehovah's Witnesses
2021 count
321
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
321
0.6%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+7,225
+11.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-2,503
-6.2pp
Western Catholic
-978
-3.1pp
Not stated
+427
+0.1pp
Presbyterian
-555
-1.4pp
Uniting Church
-369
-1.0pp
Christianity, nfd
+97
+0.1pp
Baptist
-27
-0.1pp
Buddhism
+12
0.0pp
Jehovah's Witnesses
-19
-0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Clarence Valley (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 | 20,609 | 38.1% | 37.4% | 13,384 | 26.4% | 26.0% | +7,225 | +11.7pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 10,533 | 19.5% | 17.0% | 13,036 | 25.7% | 21.9% | -2,503 | -6.2pp |
| Western Catholic | 9,155 | 16.9% | 21.0% | 10,133 | 20.0% | 23.8% | -978 | -3.1pp |
| Not stated | 5,491 | 10.1% | 7.7% | 5,064 | 10.0% | 9.3% | +427 | +0.1pp |
| Presbyterian | 2,474 | 4.6% | 2.6% | 3,029 | 6.0% | 3.5% | -555 | -1.4pp |
| Uniting Church | 1,484 | 2.7% | 3.3% | 1,853 | 3.7% | 4.5% | -369 | -1.0pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 1,032 | 1.9% | 2.2% | 935 | 1.8% | 2.2% | +97 | +0.1pp |
| Baptist | 643 | 1.2% | 1.2% | 670 | 1.3% | 1.3% | -27 | -0.1pp |
| Buddhism | 375 | 0.7% | 0.8% | 363 | 0.7% | 0.8% | +12 | 0.0pp |
| Jehovah's Witnesses | 321 | 0.6% | 0.4% | 340 | 0.7% | 0.4% | -19 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 54,113 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 50,653 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +3,460 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.