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, Western Catholic was the most common religious affiliation among residents in Forbes (A), accounting for 31.8% (2,961 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (21%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 885 people and 9.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Forbes (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Forbes (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Forbes (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
Western Catholic
2021 count
2,961
% of total
31.8%
Change from 2016
-2.6pp
2,961
31.8%
-2.6pp
No Religion, so described
2021 count
2,367
% of total
25.4%
Change from 2016
+9.9pp
2,367
25.4%
+9.9pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
1,935
% of total
20.8%
Change from 2016
-3.9pp
1,935
20.8%
-3.9pp
Not stated
2021 count
836
% of total
9.0%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
836
9.0%
-1.0pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
426
% of total
4.6%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
426
4.6%
-0.2pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
237
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
237
2.5%
-1.6pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
142
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
142
1.5%
+0.4pp
Baptist
2021 count
141
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
141
1.5%
-0.4pp
Lutheran
2021 count
35
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
35
0.4%
0.0pp
Buddhism
2021 count
34
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
34
0.4%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Western Catholic
-332
-2.6pp
No Religion, so described
+885
+9.9pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-435
-3.9pp
Not stated
-127
-1.0pp
Uniting Church
-32
-0.2pp
Presbyterian
-153
-1.6pp
Christianity, nfd
+33
+0.4pp
Baptist
-40
-0.4pp
Lutheran
-2
0.0pp
Buddhism
+5
+0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Forbes (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 | |
| Western Catholic | 2,961 | 31.8% | 21.0% | 3,293 | 34.4% | 23.8% | -332 | -2.6pp |
| No Religion, so described | 2,367 | 25.4% | 37.4% | 1,482 | 15.5% | 26.0% | +885 | +9.9pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 1,935 | 20.8% | 17.0% | 2,370 | 24.7% | 21.9% | -435 | -3.9pp |
| Not stated | 836 | 9.0% | 7.7% | 963 | 10.0% | 9.3% | -127 | -1.0pp |
| Uniting Church | 426 | 4.6% | 3.3% | 458 | 4.8% | 4.5% | -32 | -0.2pp |
| Presbyterian | 237 | 2.5% | 2.6% | 390 | 4.1% | 3.5% | -153 | -1.6pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 142 | 1.5% | 2.2% | 109 | 1.1% | 2.2% | +33 | +0.4pp |
| Baptist | 141 | 1.5% | 1.2% | 181 | 1.9% | 1.3% | -40 | -0.4pp |
| Lutheran | 35 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 37 | 0.4% | 0.4% | -2 | 0.0pp |
| Buddhism | 34 | 0.4% | 0.8% | 29 | 0.3% | 0.8% | +5 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 9,310 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 9,586 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -276 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.