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 Lake Macquarie (C), accounting for 42% (89,901 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (37.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 32,787 people and 13.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Lake Macquarie (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Lake Macquarie (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Lake Macquarie (C), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
89,901
% of total
42.0%
Change from 2016
+13.1pp
89,901
42.0%
+13.1pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
38,499
% of total
18.0%
Change from 2016
-2.8pp
38,499
18.0%
-2.8pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
33,576
% of total
15.7%
Change from 2016
-5.6pp
33,576
15.7%
-5.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
10,768
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
10,768
5.0%
-1.8pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
8,705
% of total
4.1%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
8,705
4.1%
-1.8pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
5,467
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
5,467
2.6%
+0.2pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
4,566
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
4,566
2.1%
-0.8pp
Baptist
2021 count
3,987
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
3,987
1.9%
-0.3pp
Seventh-day Adventist
2021 count
3,437
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
3,437
1.6%
-0.2pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
2,576
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
2,576
1.2%
0.0pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+32,787
+13.1pp
Western Catholic
-2,489
-2.8pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-8,437
-5.6pp
Not stated
-2,636
-1.8pp
Uniting Church
-2,972
-1.8pp
Christianity, nfd
+678
+0.2pp
Presbyterian
-1,235
-0.8pp
Baptist
-450
-0.3pp
Seventh-day Adventist
-88
-0.2pp
Pentecostal, nfd
+209
0.0pp
Data table
Religion for Lake Macquarie (C). 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 | 89,901 | 42.0% | 37.4% | 57,114 | 28.9% | 26.0% | +32,787 | +13.1pp |
| Western Catholic | 38,499 | 18.0% | 21.0% | 40,988 | 20.8% | 23.8% | -2,489 | -2.8pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 33,576 | 15.7% | 17.0% | 42,013 | 21.3% | 21.9% | -8,437 | -5.6pp |
| Not stated | 10,768 | 5.0% | 7.7% | 13,404 | 6.8% | 9.3% | -2,636 | -1.8pp |
| Uniting Church | 8,705 | 4.1% | 3.3% | 11,677 | 5.9% | 4.5% | -2,972 | -1.8pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 5,467 | 2.6% | 2.2% | 4,789 | 2.4% | 2.2% | +678 | +0.2pp |
| Presbyterian | 4,566 | 2.1% | 2.6% | 5,801 | 2.9% | 3.5% | -1,235 | -0.8pp |
| Baptist | 3,987 | 1.9% | 1.2% | 4,437 | 2.2% | 1.3% | -450 | -0.3pp |
| Seventh-day Adventist | 3,437 | 1.6% | 0.4% | 3,525 | 1.8% | 0.4% | -88 | -0.2pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 2,576 | 1.2% | 0.7% | 2,367 | 1.2% | 0.8% | +209 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 213,834 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 197,343 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +16,491 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.