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 Edward River (A), accounting for 37.3% (3,153 people). This share was similar to Regional NSW (37.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 796 people and 10.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Edward River (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Edward River (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 Edward River (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
3,153
% of total
37.3%
Change from 2016
+10.7pp
3,153
37.3%
+10.7pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
1,831
% of total
21.7%
Change from 2016
-2.5pp
1,831
21.7%
-2.5pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
1,227
% of total
14.5%
Change from 2016
-2.8pp
1,227
14.5%
-2.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
858
% of total
10.2%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
858
10.2%
-1.4pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
577
% of total
6.8%
Change from 2016
-2.9pp
577
6.8%
-2.9pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
263
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
263
3.1%
-1.4pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
139
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
139
1.6%
0.0pp
Baptist
2021 count
130
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
130
1.5%
0.0pp
Hinduism
2021 count
34
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
34
0.4%
+0.2pp
Buddhism
2021 count
32
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
32
0.4%
+0.1pp
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+796
+10.7pp
Western Catholic
-306
-2.5pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-303
-2.8pp
Not stated
-167
-1.4pp
Uniting Church
-281
-2.9pp
Presbyterian
-139
-1.4pp
Christianity, nfd
+1
0.0pp
Baptist
0
0.0pp
Hinduism
+13
+0.2pp
Buddhism
+5
+0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Edward River (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 | 3,153 | 37.3% | 37.4% | 2,357 | 26.6% | 26.0% | +796 | +10.7pp |
| Western Catholic | 1,831 | 21.7% | 21.0% | 2,137 | 24.2% | 23.8% | -306 | -2.5pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 1,227 | 14.5% | 17.0% | 1,530 | 17.3% | 21.9% | -303 | -2.8pp |
| Not stated | 858 | 10.2% | 7.7% | 1,025 | 11.6% | 9.3% | -167 | -1.4pp |
| Uniting Church | 577 | 6.8% | 3.3% | 858 | 9.7% | 4.5% | -281 | -2.9pp |
| Presbyterian | 263 | 3.1% | 2.6% | 402 | 4.5% | 3.5% | -139 | -1.4pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 139 | 1.6% | 2.2% | 138 | 1.6% | 2.2% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Baptist | 130 | 1.5% | 1.2% | 130 | 1.5% | 1.3% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Hinduism | 34 | 0.4% | 0.7% | 21 | 0.2% | 0.4% | +13 | +0.2pp |
| Buddhism | 32 | 0.4% | 0.8% | 27 | 0.3% | 0.8% | +5 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 8,453 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 8,846 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -393 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.