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, Western Catholic was the most common religious affiliation among residents in Cobar (A), accounting for 29.4% (1,187 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (21%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Western Catholic, which decreased by 382 people and 4.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Cobar (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Cobar (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Cobar (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
Western Catholic
2021 count
1,187
% of total
29.4%
Change from 2016
-4.5pp
1,187
29.4%
-4.5pp
No Religion, so described
2021 count
1,124
% of total
27.8%
Change from 2016
+8.6pp
1,124
27.8%
+8.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
651
% of total
16.1%
Change from 2016
+3.1pp
651
16.1%
+3.1pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
577
% of total
14.3%
Change from 2016
-3.8pp
577
14.3%
-3.8pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
153
% of total
3.8%
Change from 2016
-2.5pp
153
3.8%
-2.5pp
Baptist
2021 count
95
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
95
2.4%
+0.2pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
62
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
62
1.5%
-0.8pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
41
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
41
1.0%
-0.4pp
Buddhism
2021 count
28
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
28
0.7%
+0.3pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
17
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
17
0.4%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Western Catholic
-382
-4.5pp
No Religion, so described
+236
+8.6pp
Not stated
+47
+3.1pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-260
-3.8pp
Uniting Church
-141
-2.5pp
Baptist
-7
+0.2pp
Presbyterian
-43
-0.8pp
Christianity, nfd
-25
-0.4pp
Buddhism
+8
+0.3pp
Pentecostal, nfd
+2
+0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Cobar (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 | |
| Western Catholic | 1,187 | 29.4% | 21.0% | 1,569 | 33.9% | 23.8% | -382 | -4.5pp |
| No Religion, so described | 1,124 | 27.8% | 37.4% | 888 | 19.2% | 26.0% | +236 | +8.6pp |
| Not stated | 651 | 16.1% | 7.7% | 604 | 13.0% | 9.3% | +47 | +3.1pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 577 | 14.3% | 17.0% | 837 | 18.1% | 21.9% | -260 | -3.8pp |
| Uniting Church | 153 | 3.8% | 3.3% | 294 | 6.3% | 4.5% | -141 | -2.5pp |
| Baptist | 95 | 2.4% | 1.2% | 102 | 2.2% | 1.3% | -7 | +0.2pp |
| Presbyterian | 62 | 1.5% | 2.6% | 105 | 2.3% | 3.5% | -43 | -0.8pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 41 | 1.0% | 2.2% | 66 | 1.4% | 2.2% | -25 | -0.4pp |
| Buddhism | 28 | 0.7% | 0.8% | 20 | 0.4% | 0.8% | +8 | +0.3pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 17 | 0.4% | 0.7% | 15 | 0.3% | 0.8% | +2 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 4,037 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,634 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -597 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.