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 Coffs Harbour (C), accounting for 41.6% (32,705 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (37.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 10,088 people and 10.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Coffs Harbour (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Coffs Harbour (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 Coffs Harbour (C), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
32,705
% of total
41.6%
Change from 2016
+10.6pp
32,705
41.6%
+10.6pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
13,482
% of total
17.1%
Change from 2016
-2.3pp
13,482
17.1%
-2.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
11,302
% of total
14.4%
Change from 2016
-5.0pp
11,302
14.4%
-5.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
5,724
% of total
7.3%
Change from 2016
-2.3pp
5,724
7.3%
-2.3pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
2,173
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
2,173
2.8%
-0.9pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
1,914
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
1,914
2.4%
-0.2pp
Sikhism
2021 count
1,845
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
1,845
2.3%
+0.5pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
1,817
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
1,817
2.3%
-0.9pp
Baptist
2021 count
1,331
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
1,331
1.7%
0.0pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
1,145
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
1,145
1.5%
+0.3pp
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+10,088
+10.6pp
Western Catholic
-651
-2.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-2,849
-5.0pp
Not stated
-1,310
-2.3pp
Presbyterian
-527
-0.9pp
Christianity, nfd
+47
-0.2pp
Sikhism
+539
+0.5pp
Uniting Church
-547
-0.9pp
Baptist
+86
0.0pp
Pentecostal, nfd
+250
+0.3pp
Data table
Religion for Coffs Harbour (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 | 32,705 | 41.6% | 37.4% | 22,617 | 31.0% | 26.0% | +10,088 | +10.6pp |
| Western Catholic | 13,482 | 17.1% | 21.0% | 14,133 | 19.4% | 23.8% | -651 | -2.3pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 11,302 | 14.4% | 17.0% | 14,151 | 19.4% | 21.9% | -2,849 | -5.0pp |
| Not stated | 5,724 | 7.3% | 7.7% | 7,034 | 9.6% | 9.3% | -1,310 | -2.3pp |
| Presbyterian | 2,173 | 2.8% | 2.6% | 2,700 | 3.7% | 3.5% | -527 | -0.9pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 1,914 | 2.4% | 2.2% | 1,867 | 2.6% | 2.2% | +47 | -0.2pp |
| Sikhism | 1,845 | 2.3% | 0.3% | 1,306 | 1.8% | 0.2% | +539 | +0.5pp |
| Uniting Church | 1,817 | 2.3% | 3.3% | 2,364 | 3.2% | 4.5% | -547 | -0.9pp |
| Baptist | 1,331 | 1.7% | 1.2% | 1,245 | 1.7% | 1.3% | +86 | 0.0pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 1,145 | 1.5% | 0.7% | 895 | 1.2% | 0.8% | +250 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 78,709 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 72,955 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +5,754 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.