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 Gillieston Heights, accounting for 45.7% (2,187 people). This share was higher than Maitland (C) (38.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 1,323 people and 18.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Gillieston Heights - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Gillieston Heights in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Maitland (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Gillieston Heights, with comparison markers for Maitland (C).
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Anglican Church of Australia
Not stated
Uniting Church
Presbyterian
Christianity, nfd
Hinduism
Baptist
Sikhism
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+1,323
+18.1pp
Western Catholic
+160
-5.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-5
-8.7pp
Not stated
+15
-1.8pp
Uniting Church
-20
-1.9pp
Presbyterian
0
-0.9pp
Christianity, nfd
+19
-0.3pp
Hinduism
+43
+0.7pp
Baptist
+18
0.0pp
Pentecostal, nfd
+15
+0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Gillieston Heights. 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 | 2,187 | 45.7% | 38.1% | 864 | 27.6% | 24.0% | +1,323 | +18.1pp |
| Western Catholic | 950 | 19.8% | 22.9% | 790 | 25.2% | 26.6% | +160 | -5.4pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 776 | 16.2% | 18.3% | 781 | 24.9% | 24.1% | -5 | -8.7pp |
| Not stated | 206 | 4.3% | 4.9% | 191 | 6.1% | 7.0% | +15 | -1.8pp |
| Uniting Church | 111 | 2.3% | 3.4% | 131 | 4.2% | 4.9% | -20 | -1.9pp |
| Presbyterian | 80 | 1.7% | 2.2% | 80 | 2.6% | 3.0% | 0 | -0.9pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 77 | 1.6% | 2.1% | 58 | 1.9% | 2.2% | +19 | -0.3pp |
| Hinduism | 63 | 1.3% | 0.7% | 20 | 0.6% | 0.5% | +43 | +0.7pp |
| Baptist | 60 | 1.3% | 1.5% | 42 | 1.3% | 1.9% | +18 | 0.0pp |
| Sikhism | 38 | 0.8% | 0.3% | - | - | 0.2% | - | - |
| Total | 4,790 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,133 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,657 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.