Cultural diversity
Religion
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.
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 Paterson (NSW), accounting for 37.8% (354 people). This share was higher than Dungog (A) (37.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 126 people and 12.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Paterson (NSW) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Paterson (NSW) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Dungog (A) and change since 2016.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Paterson (NSW), with comparison markers for Dungog (A).
No Religion, so described
Anglican Church of Australia
Western Catholic
Not stated
Uniting Church
Christianity, nfd
Baptist
Presbyterian
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+126
+12.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-18
-3.3pp
Western Catholic
+25
+1.7pp
Not stated
-49
-5.8pp
Uniting Church
-12
-1.6pp
Christianity, nfd
+7
+0.7pp
Baptist
-12
-1.4pp
Presbyterian
-9
-1.1pp
Data table
Religion for Paterson (NSW). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Dungog (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Dungog (A)% | Count | % | Dungog (A)% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 354 | 37.8% | 37.3% | 228 | 25.6% | 23.8% | +126 | +12.2pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 232 | 24.8% | 24.6% | 250 | 28.1% | 30.7% | -18 | -3.3pp |
| Western Catholic | 203 | 21.7% | 17.5% | 178 | 20.0% | 18.0% | +25 | +1.7pp |
| Not stated | 49 | 5.2% | 5.7% | 98 | 11.0% | 9.1% | -49 | -5.8pp |
| Uniting Church | 34 | 3.6% | 4.6% | 46 | 5.2% | 5.8% | -12 | -1.6pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 19 | 2.0% | 1.8% | 12 | 1.3% | 1.5% | +7 | +0.7pp |
| Baptist | 14 | 1.5% | 1.9% | 26 | 2.9% | 2.3% | -12 | -1.4pp |
| Presbyterian | 12 | 1.3% | 3.6% | 21 | 2.4% | 5.1% | -9 | -1.1pp |
| Total | 936 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 891 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +45 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.