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 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
2021 count
11,512
% of total
37.5%
Change from 2016
+11.9pp
11,512
37.5%
+11.9pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
5,665
% of total
18.5%
Change from 2016
-3.5pp
5,665
18.5%
-3.5pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
5,282
% of total
17.2%
Change from 2016
-4.9pp
5,282
17.2%
-4.9pp
Not stated
2021 count
3,566
% of total
11.6%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
3,566
11.6%
-0.8pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
1,368
% of total
4.5%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
1,368
4.5%
-1.4pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
651
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
651
2.1%
-0.7pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
512
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
512
1.7%
+0.2pp
Seventh-day Adventist
2021 count
481
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
481
1.6%
-0.3pp
Jehovah's Witnesses
2021 count
219
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
219
0.7%
0.0pp
Baptist
2021 count
200
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
200
0.7%
-0.1pp
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.