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 Kiama (A), accounting for 40.9% (9,427 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (37.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 3,285 people and 12.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Kiama (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Kiama (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Kiama (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
9,427
% of total
40.9%
Change from 2016
+12.3pp
9,427
40.9%
+12.3pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
5,071
% of total
22.0%
Change from 2016
-2.5pp
5,071
22.0%
-2.5pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
4,042
% of total
17.5%
Change from 2016
-4.4pp
4,042
17.5%
-4.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,300
% of total
5.6%
Change from 2016
-2.7pp
1,300
5.6%
-2.7pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
943
% of total
4.1%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
943
4.1%
-1.5pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
528
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
528
2.3%
-0.7pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
431
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
431
1.9%
-0.1pp
Baptist
2021 count
221
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
221
1.0%
-0.1pp
Buddhism
2021 count
147
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
147
0.6%
-0.2pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
125
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
125
0.5%
0.0pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+3,285
+12.3pp
Western Catholic
-179
-2.5pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-645
-4.4pp
Not stated
-486
-2.7pp
Uniting Church
-266
-1.5pp
Presbyterian
-119
-0.7pp
Christianity, nfd
-1
-0.1pp
Baptist
-20
-0.1pp
Buddhism
-32
-0.2pp
Greek Orthodox
+26
0.0pp
Data table
Religion for Kiama (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 | 9,427 | 40.9% | 37.4% | 6,142 | 28.6% | 26.0% | +3,285 | +12.3pp |
| Western Catholic | 5,071 | 22.0% | 21.0% | 5,250 | 24.5% | 23.8% | -179 | -2.5pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 4,042 | 17.5% | 17.0% | 4,687 | 21.9% | 21.9% | -645 | -4.4pp |
| Not stated | 1,300 | 5.6% | 7.7% | 1,786 | 8.3% | 9.3% | -486 | -2.7pp |
| Uniting Church | 943 | 4.1% | 3.3% | 1,209 | 5.6% | 4.5% | -266 | -1.5pp |
| Presbyterian | 528 | 2.3% | 2.6% | 647 | 3.0% | 3.5% | -119 | -0.7pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 431 | 1.9% | 2.2% | 432 | 2.0% | 2.2% | -1 | -0.1pp |
| Baptist | 221 | 1.0% | 1.2% | 241 | 1.1% | 1.3% | -20 | -0.1pp |
| Buddhism | 147 | 0.6% | 0.8% | 179 | 0.8% | 0.8% | -32 | -0.2pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 125 | 0.5% | 0.4% | 99 | 0.5% | 0.4% | +26 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 23,040 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 21,450 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,590 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.