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, Anglican Church of Australia was the most common religious affiliation among residents in Gwydir (A), accounting for 33.6% (1,650 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (17%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Anglican Church of Australia, which decreased by 378 people and 5 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Gwydir (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Gwydir (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 Gwydir (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
1,650
% of total
33.6%
Change from 2016
-5.0pp
1,650
33.6%
-5.0pp
No Religion, so described
2021 count
1,152
% of total
23.5%
Change from 2016
+8.3pp
1,152
23.5%
+8.3pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
939
% of total
19.1%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
939
19.1%
-1.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
470
% of total
9.6%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
470
9.6%
-1.6pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
281
% of total
5.7%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
281
5.7%
-0.8pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
158
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
158
3.2%
-0.7pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
78
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
78
1.6%
+0.1pp
Lutheran
2021 count
32
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
32
0.7%
+0.2pp
Salvation Army
2021 count
25
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
25
0.5%
+0.1pp
Baptist
2021 count
22
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
22
0.4%
-0.1pp
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Anglican Church of Australia
-378
-5.0pp
No Religion, so described
+355
+8.3pp
Western Catholic
-133
-1.3pp
Not stated
-117
-1.6pp
Presbyterian
-58
-0.8pp
Uniting Church
-48
-0.7pp
Christianity, nfd
+1
+0.1pp
Lutheran
+8
+0.2pp
Salvation Army
+3
+0.1pp
Baptist
-6
-0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Gwydir (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 | |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 1,650 | 33.6% | 17.0% | 2,028 | 38.6% | 21.9% | -378 | -5.0pp |
| No Religion, so described | 1,152 | 23.5% | 37.4% | 797 | 15.2% | 26.0% | +355 | +8.3pp |
| Western Catholic | 939 | 19.1% | 21.0% | 1,072 | 20.4% | 23.8% | -133 | -1.3pp |
| Not stated | 470 | 9.6% | 7.7% | 587 | 11.2% | 9.3% | -117 | -1.6pp |
| Presbyterian | 281 | 5.7% | 2.6% | 339 | 6.5% | 3.5% | -58 | -0.8pp |
| Uniting Church | 158 | 3.2% | 3.3% | 206 | 3.9% | 4.5% | -48 | -0.7pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 78 | 1.6% | 2.2% | 77 | 1.5% | 2.2% | +1 | +0.1pp |
| Lutheran | 32 | 0.7% | 0.3% | 24 | 0.5% | 0.4% | +8 | +0.2pp |
| Salvation Army | 25 | 0.5% | 0.2% | 22 | 0.4% | 0.3% | +3 | +0.1pp |
| Baptist | 22 | 0.4% | 1.2% | 28 | 0.5% | 1.3% | -6 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 4,906 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,255 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -349 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.