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 Lithgow (C), accounting for 35.1% (7,313 people). This share was lower than Regional NSW (37.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 2,544 people and 12.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Lithgow (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Lithgow (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 Lithgow (C), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
7,313
% of total
35.1%
Change from 2016
+12.5pp
7,313
35.1%
+12.5pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
4,430
% of total
21.3%
Change from 2016
-2.8pp
4,430
21.3%
-2.8pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
3,485
% of total
16.7%
Change from 2016
-3.9pp
3,485
16.7%
-3.9pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,951
% of total
9.4%
Change from 2016
-4.0pp
1,951
9.4%
-4.0pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
1,031
% of total
4.9%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
1,031
4.9%
-1.3pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
637
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
637
3.1%
-1.0pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
323
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
323
1.6%
-0.1pp
Baptist
2021 count
262
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
262
1.3%
-0.1pp
Buddhism
2021 count
175
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
175
0.8%
+0.1pp
Brethren
2021 count
172
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
172
0.8%
+0.1pp
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+2,544
+12.5pp
Western Catholic
-644
-2.8pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-862
-3.9pp
Not stated
-869
-4.0pp
Uniting Church
-268
-1.3pp
Presbyterian
-234
-1.0pp
Christianity, nfd
-27
-0.1pp
Baptist
-33
-0.1pp
Buddhism
+31
+0.1pp
Brethren
+31
+0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Lithgow (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 | 7,313 | 35.1% | 37.4% | 4,769 | 22.6% | 26.0% | +2,544 | +12.5pp |
| Western Catholic | 4,430 | 21.3% | 21.0% | 5,074 | 24.1% | 23.8% | -644 | -2.8pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 3,485 | 16.7% | 17.0% | 4,347 | 20.6% | 21.9% | -862 | -3.9pp |
| Not stated | 1,951 | 9.4% | 7.7% | 2,820 | 13.4% | 9.3% | -869 | -4.0pp |
| Uniting Church | 1,031 | 4.9% | 3.3% | 1,299 | 6.2% | 4.5% | -268 | -1.3pp |
| Presbyterian | 637 | 3.1% | 2.6% | 871 | 4.1% | 3.5% | -234 | -1.0pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 323 | 1.6% | 2.2% | 350 | 1.7% | 2.2% | -27 | -0.1pp |
| Baptist | 262 | 1.3% | 1.2% | 295 | 1.4% | 1.3% | -33 | -0.1pp |
| Buddhism | 175 | 0.8% | 0.8% | 144 | 0.7% | 0.8% | +31 | +0.1pp |
| Brethren | 172 | 0.8% | 0.1% | 141 | 0.7% | 0.1% | +31 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 20,837 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 21,069 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -232 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.