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 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 1,624 people and 13.6 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.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for East Maitland, with comparison markers for Maitland (C).
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Anglican Church of Australia
Not stated
Uniting Church
Presbyterian
Christianity, nfd
Baptist
Buddhism
Pentecostal, nfd
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+1,624
+13.6pp
Western Catholic
-396
-3.5pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-567
-4.9pp
Not stated
-209
-1.8pp
Uniting Church
-177
-1.5pp
Presbyterian
-124
-1.1pp
Christianity, nfd
+6
0.0pp
Baptist
+13
+0.1pp
Buddhism
+8
+0.1pp
Pentecostal, nfd
-23
-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% | 2,890 | 24.5% | 24.0% | +1,624 | +13.6pp |
| Western Catholic | 2,659 | 22.4% | 22.9% | 3,055 | 25.9% | 26.6% | -396 | -3.5pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 2,112 | 17.8% | 18.3% | 2,679 | 22.7% | 24.1% | -567 | -4.9pp |
| Not stated | 694 | 5.9% | 4.9% | 903 | 7.7% | 7.0% | -209 | -1.8pp |
| Uniting Church | 425 | 3.6% | 3.4% | 602 | 5.1% | 4.9% | -177 | -1.5pp |
| Presbyterian | 277 | 2.3% | 2.2% | 401 | 3.4% | 3.0% | -124 | -1.1pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 262 | 2.2% | 2.1% | 256 | 2.2% | 2.2% | +6 | 0.0pp |
| Baptist | 175 | 1.5% | 1.5% | 162 | 1.4% | 1.9% | +13 | +0.1pp |
| Buddhism | 95 | 0.8% | 0.5% | 87 | 0.7% | 0.6% | +8 | +0.1pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 73 | 0.6% | 0.8% | 96 | 0.8% | 0.7% | -23 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 11,855 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 11,777 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +78 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.