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 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.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Lake Macquarie (C), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Anglican Church of Australia
Not stated
Uniting Church
Christianity, nfd
Presbyterian
Baptist
Seventh-day Adventist
Pentecostal, nfd
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.