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 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
Western Catholic
Anglican Church of Australia
Not stated
Uniting Church
Presbyterian
Christianity, nfd
Baptist
Buddhism
Greek Orthodox
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.