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 Lismore (C), accounting for 43.1% (19,112 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (37.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 5,014 people and 10.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Lismore (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Lismore (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Lismore (C), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
19,112
% of total
43.1%
Change from 2016
+10.4pp
19,112
43.1%
+10.4pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
8,110
% of total
18.3%
Change from 2016
-2.8pp
8,110
18.3%
-2.8pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
5,085
% of total
11.5%
Change from 2016
-3.1pp
5,085
11.5%
-3.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
3,955
% of total
8.9%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
3,955
8.9%
-1.6pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
1,565
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
1,565
3.5%
-1.2pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
1,561
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
1,561
3.5%
-1.2pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
1,138
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
1,138
2.6%
+0.2pp
Buddhism
2021 count
535
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
535
1.2%
-0.1pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
359
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
359
0.8%
0.0pp
Baptist
2021 count
316
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
316
0.7%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+5,014
+10.4pp
Western Catholic
-969
-2.8pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-1,219
-3.1pp
Not stated
-573
-1.6pp
Presbyterian
-451
-1.2pp
Uniting Church
-482
-1.2pp
Christianity, nfd
+104
+0.2pp
Buddhism
-29
-0.1pp
Pentecostal, nfd
+18
0.0pp
Baptist
-69
-0.2pp
Data table
Religion for Lismore (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 | 19,112 | 43.1% | 37.4% | 14,098 | 32.7% | 26.0% | +5,014 | +10.4pp |
| Western Catholic | 8,110 | 18.3% | 21.0% | 9,079 | 21.1% | 23.8% | -969 | -2.8pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 5,085 | 11.5% | 17.0% | 6,304 | 14.6% | 21.9% | -1,219 | -3.1pp |
| Not stated | 3,955 | 8.9% | 7.7% | 4,528 | 10.5% | 9.3% | -573 | -1.6pp |
| Presbyterian | 1,565 | 3.5% | 2.6% | 2,016 | 4.7% | 3.5% | -451 | -1.2pp |
| Uniting Church | 1,561 | 3.5% | 3.3% | 2,043 | 4.7% | 4.5% | -482 | -1.2pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 1,138 | 2.6% | 2.2% | 1,034 | 2.4% | 2.2% | +104 | +0.2pp |
| Buddhism | 535 | 1.2% | 0.8% | 564 | 1.3% | 0.8% | -29 | -0.1pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 359 | 0.8% | 0.7% | 341 | 0.8% | 0.8% | +18 | 0.0pp |
| Baptist | 316 | 0.7% | 1.2% | 385 | 0.9% | 1.3% | -69 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 44,298 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 43,125 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,173 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.