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 Cowra (A), accounting for 26.7% (3,404 people). This share was lower than Regional NSW (37.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 1,317 people and 9.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Cowra (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Cowra (A) 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 Cowra (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
3,404
% of total
26.7%
Change from 2016
+9.9pp
3,404
26.7%
+9.9pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
3,288
% of total
25.8%
Change from 2016
-3.2pp
3,288
25.8%
-3.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
2,766
% of total
21.7%
Change from 2016
-4.5pp
2,766
21.7%
-4.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,160
% of total
9.1%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
1,160
9.1%
-0.6pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
482
% of total
3.8%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
482
3.8%
-1.2pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
454
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
454
3.6%
-0.6pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
224
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
224
1.8%
-0.4pp
Baptist
2021 count
160
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
160
1.3%
-0.1pp
Brethren
2021 count
149
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
149
1.2%
0.0pp
Jehovah's Witnesses
2021 count
118
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
118
0.9%
-0.1pp
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+1,317
+9.9pp
Western Catholic
-322
-3.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-491
-4.5pp
Not stated
-46
-0.6pp
Presbyterian
-142
-1.2pp
Uniting Church
-67
-0.6pp
Christianity, nfd
-45
-0.4pp
Baptist
-12
-0.1pp
Brethren
-3
0.0pp
Jehovah's Witnesses
-3
-0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Cowra (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 | 3,404 | 26.7% | 37.4% | 2,087 | 16.8% | 26.0% | +1,317 | +9.9pp |
| Western Catholic | 3,288 | 25.8% | 21.0% | 3,610 | 29.0% | 23.8% | -322 | -3.2pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 2,766 | 21.7% | 17.0% | 3,257 | 26.2% | 21.9% | -491 | -4.5pp |
| Not stated | 1,160 | 9.1% | 7.7% | 1,206 | 9.7% | 9.3% | -46 | -0.6pp |
| Presbyterian | 482 | 3.8% | 2.6% | 624 | 5.0% | 3.5% | -142 | -1.2pp |
| Uniting Church | 454 | 3.6% | 3.3% | 521 | 4.2% | 4.5% | -67 | -0.6pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 224 | 1.8% | 2.2% | 269 | 2.2% | 2.2% | -45 | -0.4pp |
| Baptist | 160 | 1.3% | 1.2% | 172 | 1.4% | 1.3% | -12 | -0.1pp |
| Brethren | 149 | 1.2% | 0.1% | 152 | 1.2% | 0.1% | -3 | 0.0pp |
| Jehovah's Witnesses | 118 | 0.9% | 0.4% | 121 | 1.0% | 0.4% | -3 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 12,736 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 12,453 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +283 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.