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 Maitland, accounting for 38.1% (4,514 people). This share was similar to Maitland (C) (38.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 3,425 people and 17.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
East Maitland - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for East Maitland in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Maitland (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for East Maitland, with comparison markers for Maitland (C).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
4,514
% of total
38.1%
Change from 2016
+17.7pp
4,514
38.1%
+17.7pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
2,659
% of total
22.4%
Change from 2016
-2.7pp
2,659
22.4%
-2.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
2,112
% of total
17.8%
Change from 2016
-9.6pp
2,112
17.8%
-9.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
694
% of total
5.9%
Change from 2016
-2.6pp
694
5.9%
-2.6pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
425
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
425
3.6%
-1.4pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
277
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
277
2.3%
-1.3pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
262
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
262
2.2%
+0.2pp
Baptist
2021 count
175
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
175
1.5%
+0.8pp
Buddhism
2021 count
95
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
95
0.8%
+0.3pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
73
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
73
0.6%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+3,425
+17.7pp
Western Catholic
+1,322
-2.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
+649
-9.6pp
Not stated
+240
-2.6pp
Uniting Church
+156
-1.4pp
Presbyterian
+84
-1.3pp
Christianity, nfd
+153
+0.2pp
Baptist
+136
+0.8pp
Buddhism
+68
+0.3pp
Pentecostal, nfd
+32
-0.2pp
Data table
Religion for East Maitland. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Maitland (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Maitland (C)% | Count | % | Maitland (C)% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 4,514 | 38.1% | 38.1% | 1,089 | 20.4% | 24.0% | +3,425 | +17.7pp |
| Western Catholic | 2,659 | 22.4% | 22.9% | 1,337 | 25.1% | 26.6% | +1,322 | -2.7pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 2,112 | 17.8% | 18.3% | 1,463 | 27.4% | 24.1% | +649 | -9.6pp |
| Not stated | 694 | 5.9% | 4.9% | 454 | 8.5% | 7.0% | +240 | -2.6pp |
| Uniting Church | 425 | 3.6% | 3.4% | 269 | 5.0% | 4.9% | +156 | -1.4pp |
| Presbyterian | 277 | 2.3% | 2.2% | 193 | 3.6% | 3.0% | +84 | -1.3pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 262 | 2.2% | 2.1% | 109 | 2.0% | 2.2% | +153 | +0.2pp |
| Baptist | 175 | 1.5% | 1.5% | 39 | 0.7% | 1.9% | +136 | +0.8pp |
| Buddhism | 95 | 0.8% | 0.5% | 27 | 0.5% | 0.6% | +68 | +0.3pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 73 | 0.6% | 0.8% | 41 | 0.8% | 0.7% | +32 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 11,855 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,337 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +6,518 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.