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