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 Federation (A), accounting for 36.6% (4,719 people). This share was lower than Regional NSW (37.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 1,732 people and 12.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Federation (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Federation (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Federation (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
4,719
% of total
36.6%
Change from 2016
+12.2pp
4,719
36.6%
+12.2pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
3,149
% of total
24.5%
Change from 2016
-2.3pp
3,149
24.5%
-2.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
2,019
% of total
15.7%
Change from 2016
-4.5pp
2,019
15.7%
-4.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,034
% of total
8.0%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
1,034
8.0%
-1.9pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
637
% of total
4.9%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
637
4.9%
-2.1pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
612
% of total
4.8%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
612
4.8%
-0.9pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
171
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
171
1.3%
+0.1pp
Baptist
2021 count
164
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
164
1.3%
+0.1pp
Lutheran
2021 count
87
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
87
0.7%
-0.1pp
Buddhism
2021 count
55
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
55
0.4%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+1,732
+12.2pp
Western Catholic
-139
-2.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-456
-4.5pp
Not stated
-184
-1.9pp
Presbyterian
-217
-2.1pp
Uniting Church
-81
-0.9pp
Christianity, nfd
+29
+0.1pp
Baptist
+16
+0.1pp
Lutheran
-14
-0.1pp
Buddhism
-8
-0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Federation (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 | 4,719 | 36.6% | 37.4% | 2,987 | 24.4% | 26.0% | +1,732 | +12.2pp |
| Western Catholic | 3,149 | 24.5% | 21.0% | 3,288 | 26.8% | 23.8% | -139 | -2.3pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 2,019 | 15.7% | 17.0% | 2,475 | 20.2% | 21.9% | -456 | -4.5pp |
| Not stated | 1,034 | 8.0% | 7.7% | 1,218 | 9.9% | 9.3% | -184 | -1.9pp |
| Presbyterian | 637 | 4.9% | 2.6% | 854 | 7.0% | 3.5% | -217 | -2.1pp |
| Uniting Church | 612 | 4.8% | 3.3% | 693 | 5.7% | 4.5% | -81 | -0.9pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 171 | 1.3% | 2.2% | 142 | 1.2% | 2.2% | +29 | +0.1pp |
| Baptist | 164 | 1.3% | 1.2% | 148 | 1.2% | 1.3% | +16 | +0.1pp |
| Lutheran | 87 | 0.7% | 0.3% | 101 | 0.8% | 0.4% | -14 | -0.1pp |
| Buddhism | 55 | 0.4% | 0.8% | 63 | 0.5% | 0.8% | -8 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 12,876 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 12,253 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +623 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.