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 Maitland (C), accounting for 38.1% (34,371 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (37.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 15,834 people and 14.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Maitland (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Maitland (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Maitland (C), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
34,371
% of total
38.1%
Change from 2016
+14.1pp
34,371
38.1%
+14.1pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
20,623
% of total
22.9%
Change from 2016
-3.7pp
20,623
22.9%
-3.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
16,501
% of total
18.3%
Change from 2016
-5.8pp
16,501
18.3%
-5.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
4,406
% of total
4.9%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
4,406
4.9%
-2.1pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
3,063
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
3,063
3.4%
-1.5pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
1,976
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
1,976
2.2%
-0.8pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
1,934
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
1,934
2.1%
-0.1pp
Baptist
2021 count
1,318
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
1,318
1.5%
-0.4pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
684
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
684
0.8%
+0.1pp
Hinduism
2021 count
647
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
647
0.7%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+15,834
+14.1pp
Western Catholic
+74
-3.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-2,155
-5.8pp
Not stated
-1,009
-2.1pp
Uniting Church
-728
-1.5pp
Presbyterian
-381
-0.8pp
Christianity, nfd
+251
-0.1pp
Baptist
-113
-0.4pp
Pentecostal, nfd
+110
+0.1pp
Hinduism
+290
+0.2pp
Data table
Religion for Maitland (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 | 34,371 | 38.1% | 37.4% | 18,537 | 24.0% | 26.0% | +15,834 | +14.1pp |
| Western Catholic | 20,623 | 22.9% | 21.0% | 20,549 | 26.6% | 23.8% | +74 | -3.7pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 16,501 | 18.3% | 17.0% | 18,656 | 24.1% | 21.9% | -2,155 | -5.8pp |
| Not stated | 4,406 | 4.9% | 7.7% | 5,415 | 7.0% | 9.3% | -1,009 | -2.1pp |
| Uniting Church | 3,063 | 3.4% | 3.3% | 3,791 | 4.9% | 4.5% | -728 | -1.5pp |
| Presbyterian | 1,976 | 2.2% | 2.6% | 2,357 | 3.0% | 3.5% | -381 | -0.8pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 1,934 | 2.1% | 2.2% | 1,683 | 2.2% | 2.2% | +251 | -0.1pp |
| Baptist | 1,318 | 1.5% | 1.2% | 1,431 | 1.9% | 1.3% | -113 | -0.4pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 684 | 0.8% | 0.7% | 574 | 0.7% | 0.8% | +110 | +0.1pp |
| Hinduism | 647 | 0.7% | 0.7% | 357 | 0.5% | 0.4% | +290 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 90,231 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 77,303 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +12,928 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.