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 East Lismore, accounting for 42.1% (2,099 people). This share was lower than Lismore (C) (43.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 1,400 people and 13.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
East Lismore - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for East Lismore in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Lismore (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for East Lismore, with comparison markers for Lismore (C).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
2,099
% of total
42.1%
Change from 2016
+13.6pp
2,099
42.1%
+13.6pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
980
% of total
19.7%
Change from 2016
-15.3pp
980
19.7%
-15.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
556
% of total
11.2%
Change from 2016
-2.3pp
556
11.2%
-2.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
447
% of total
9.0%
Change from 2016
+4.6pp
447
9.0%
+4.6pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
187
% of total
3.8%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
187
3.8%
+1.4pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
181
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
181
3.6%
+0.6pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
115
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
115
2.3%
+1.3pp
Buddhism
2021 count
69
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
69
1.4%
-0.1pp
Baptist
2021 count
47
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
47
0.9%
-0.6pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
41
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
41
0.8%
+0.5pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+1,400
+13.6pp
Western Catholic
+122
-15.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
+226
-2.3pp
Not stated
+339
+4.6pp
Presbyterian
+128
+1.4pp
Uniting Church
+108
+0.6pp
Christianity, nfd
+91
+1.3pp
Buddhism
+33
-0.1pp
Baptist
+10
-0.6pp
Pentecostal, nfd
+34
+0.5pp
Data table
Religion for East Lismore. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Lismore (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Lismore (C)% | Count | % | Lismore (C)% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 2,099 | 42.1% | 43.1% | 699 | 28.5% | 32.7% | +1,400 | +13.6pp |
| Western Catholic | 980 | 19.7% | 18.3% | 858 | 35.0% | 21.1% | +122 | -15.3pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 556 | 11.2% | 11.5% | 330 | 13.5% | 14.6% | +226 | -2.3pp |
| Not stated | 447 | 9.0% | 8.9% | 108 | 4.4% | 10.5% | +339 | +4.6pp |
| Presbyterian | 187 | 3.8% | 3.5% | 59 | 2.4% | 4.7% | +128 | +1.4pp |
| Uniting Church | 181 | 3.6% | 3.5% | 73 | 3.0% | 4.7% | +108 | +0.6pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 115 | 2.3% | 2.6% | 24 | 1.0% | 2.4% | +91 | +1.3pp |
| Buddhism | 69 | 1.4% | 1.2% | 36 | 1.5% | 1.3% | +33 | -0.1pp |
| Baptist | 47 | 0.9% | 0.7% | 37 | 1.5% | 0.9% | +10 | -0.6pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 41 | 0.8% | 0.8% | 7 | 0.3% | 0.8% | +34 | +0.5pp |
| Total | 4,980 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,449 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,531 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.