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 Goonellabah, accounting for 38.3% (5,109 people). This share was lower than Lismore (C) (43.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 1,603 people and 11.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Goonellabah - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Goonellabah in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Lismore (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Goonellabah, with comparison markers for Lismore (C).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
5,109
% of total
38.3%
Change from 2016
+11.1pp
5,109
38.3%
+11.1pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
2,752
% of total
20.6%
Change from 2016
-2.8pp
2,752
20.6%
-2.8pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
1,716
% of total
12.9%
Change from 2016
-3.1pp
1,716
12.9%
-3.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
876
% of total
6.6%
Change from 2016
-2.5pp
876
6.6%
-2.5pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
577
% of total
4.3%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
577
4.3%
-1.2pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
522
% of total
3.9%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
522
3.9%
+0.6pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
501
% of total
3.8%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
501
3.8%
-1.3pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
187
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
187
1.4%
0.0pp
Seventh-day Adventist
2021 count
121
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
121
0.9%
-0.1pp
Baptist
2021 count
113
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
113
0.8%
-0.4pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+1,603
+11.1pp
Western Catholic
-270
-2.8pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-343
-3.1pp
Not stated
-296
-2.5pp
Presbyterian
-127
-1.2pp
Christianity, nfd
+92
+0.6pp
Uniting Church
-163
-1.3pp
Pentecostal, nfd
+8
0.0pp
Seventh-day Adventist
-14
-0.1pp
Baptist
-41
-0.4pp
Data table
Religion for Goonellabah. 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 | 5,109 | 38.3% | 43.1% | 3,506 | 27.2% | 32.7% | +1,603 | +11.1pp |
| Western Catholic | 2,752 | 20.6% | 18.3% | 3,022 | 23.4% | 21.1% | -270 | -2.8pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 1,716 | 12.9% | 11.5% | 2,059 | 16.0% | 14.6% | -343 | -3.1pp |
| Not stated | 876 | 6.6% | 8.9% | 1,172 | 9.1% | 10.5% | -296 | -2.5pp |
| Presbyterian | 577 | 4.3% | 3.5% | 704 | 5.5% | 4.7% | -127 | -1.2pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 522 | 3.9% | 2.6% | 430 | 3.3% | 2.4% | +92 | +0.6pp |
| Uniting Church | 501 | 3.8% | 3.5% | 664 | 5.1% | 4.7% | -163 | -1.3pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 187 | 1.4% | 0.8% | 179 | 1.4% | 0.8% | +8 | 0.0pp |
| Seventh-day Adventist | 121 | 0.9% | 0.7% | 135 | 1.0% | 0.7% | -14 | -0.1pp |
| Baptist | 113 | 0.8% | 0.7% | 154 | 1.2% | 0.9% | -41 | -0.4pp |
| Total | 13,346 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 12,896 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +450 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.