Cultural diversity
Religion
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.
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 Kempsey (A), accounting for 37.5% (11,512 people). This share was similar to Regional NSW (37.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 4,117 people and 11.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Kempsey (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Kempsey (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Kempsey (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Anglican Church of Australia
Not stated
Uniting Church
Presbyterian
Christianity, nfd
Seventh-day Adventist
Jehovah's Witnesses
Baptist
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+4,117
+11.9pp
Western Catholic
-695
-3.5pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-1,106
-4.9pp
Not stated
-21
-0.8pp
Uniting Church
-334
-1.4pp
Presbyterian
-152
-0.7pp
Christianity, nfd
+89
+0.2pp
Seventh-day Adventist
-54
-0.3pp
Jehovah's Witnesses
+20
0.0pp
Baptist
-17
-0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Kempsey (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 | 11,512 | 37.5% | 37.4% | 7,395 | 25.6% | 26.0% | +4,117 | +11.9pp |
| Western Catholic | 5,665 | 18.5% | 21.0% | 6,360 | 22.0% | 23.8% | -695 | -3.5pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 5,282 | 17.2% | 17.0% | 6,388 | 22.1% | 21.9% | -1,106 | -4.9pp |
| Not stated | 3,566 | 11.6% | 7.7% | 3,587 | 12.4% | 9.3% | -21 | -0.8pp |
| Uniting Church | 1,368 | 4.5% | 3.3% | 1,702 | 5.9% | 4.5% | -334 | -1.4pp |
| Presbyterian | 651 | 2.1% | 2.6% | 803 | 2.8% | 3.5% | -152 | -0.7pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 512 | 1.7% | 2.2% | 423 | 1.5% | 2.2% | +89 | +0.2pp |
| Seventh-day Adventist | 481 | 1.6% | 0.4% | 535 | 1.9% | 0.4% | -54 | -0.3pp |
| Jehovah's Witnesses | 219 | 0.7% | 0.4% | 199 | 0.7% | 0.4% | +20 | 0.0pp |
| Baptist | 200 | 0.7% | 1.2% | 217 | 0.8% | 1.3% | -17 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 30,663 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 28,860 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,803 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.