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 Gunnedah (A), accounting for 32.3% (4,174 people). This share was lower than Regional NSW (37.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 1,713 people and 12.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Gunnedah (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Gunnedah (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Gunnedah (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
4,174
% of total
32.3%
Change from 2016
+12.1pp
4,174
32.3%
+12.1pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
2,941
% of total
22.7%
Change from 2016
-3.6pp
2,941
22.7%
-3.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
2,906
% of total
22.5%
Change from 2016
-7.2pp
2,906
22.5%
-7.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,230
% of total
9.5%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
1,230
9.5%
+0.5pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
492
% of total
3.8%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
492
3.8%
-1.1pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
419
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
419
3.2%
-0.5pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
212
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
212
1.6%
+0.2pp
Baptist
2021 count
123
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
123
1.0%
-0.3pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
86
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
86
0.7%
+0.5pp
Buddhism
2021 count
49
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
49
0.4%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+1,713
+12.1pp
Western Catholic
-267
-3.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-715
-7.2pp
Not stated
+131
+0.5pp
Presbyterian
-111
-1.1pp
Uniting Church
-36
-0.5pp
Christianity, nfd
+41
+0.2pp
Baptist
-31
-0.3pp
Pentecostal, nfd
+59
+0.5pp
Buddhism
+10
+0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Gunnedah (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 | 4,174 | 32.3% | 37.4% | 2,461 | 20.2% | 26.0% | +1,713 | +12.1pp |
| Western Catholic | 2,941 | 22.7% | 21.0% | 3,208 | 26.3% | 23.8% | -267 | -3.6pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 2,906 | 22.5% | 17.0% | 3,621 | 29.7% | 21.9% | -715 | -7.2pp |
| Not stated | 1,230 | 9.5% | 7.7% | 1,099 | 9.0% | 9.3% | +131 | +0.5pp |
| Presbyterian | 492 | 3.8% | 2.6% | 603 | 4.9% | 3.5% | -111 | -1.1pp |
| Uniting Church | 419 | 3.2% | 3.3% | 455 | 3.7% | 4.5% | -36 | -0.5pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 212 | 1.6% | 2.2% | 171 | 1.4% | 2.2% | +41 | +0.2pp |
| Baptist | 123 | 1.0% | 1.2% | 154 | 1.3% | 1.3% | -31 | -0.3pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 86 | 0.7% | 0.7% | 27 | 0.2% | 0.8% | +59 | +0.5pp |
| Buddhism | 49 | 0.4% | 0.8% | 39 | 0.3% | 0.8% | +10 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 12,930 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 12,197 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +733 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.