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 Metford, accounting for 39.2% (1,841 people). This share was higher than Maitland (C) (38.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 688 people and 15 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Metford - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Metford in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Maitland (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Metford, with comparison markers for Maitland (C).
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Anglican Church of Australia
Not stated
Uniting Church
Christianity, nfd
Baptist
Presbyterian
Hinduism
Buddhism
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+688
+15.0pp
Western Catholic
-193
-3.8pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-290
-5.8pp
Not stated
-77
-1.5pp
Uniting Church
-89
-1.8pp
Christianity, nfd
-22
-0.4pp
Baptist
-43
-0.9pp
Presbyterian
-39
-0.8pp
Hinduism
-14
-0.3pp
Buddhism
+13
+0.3pp
Data table
Religion for Metford. 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 | 1,841 | 39.2% | 38.1% | 1,153 | 24.2% | 24.0% | +688 | +15.0pp |
| Western Catholic | 926 | 19.7% | 22.9% | 1,119 | 23.5% | 26.6% | -193 | -3.8pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 801 | 17.1% | 18.3% | 1,091 | 22.9% | 24.1% | -290 | -5.8pp |
| Not stated | 256 | 5.5% | 4.9% | 333 | 7.0% | 7.0% | -77 | -1.5pp |
| Uniting Church | 164 | 3.5% | 3.4% | 253 | 5.3% | 4.9% | -89 | -1.8pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 139 | 3.0% | 2.1% | 161 | 3.4% | 2.2% | -22 | -0.4pp |
| Baptist | 114 | 2.4% | 1.5% | 157 | 3.3% | 1.9% | -43 | -0.9pp |
| Presbyterian | 105 | 2.2% | 2.2% | 144 | 3.0% | 3.0% | -39 | -0.8pp |
| Hinduism | 51 | 1.1% | 0.7% | 65 | 1.4% | 0.5% | -14 | -0.3pp |
| Buddhism | 45 | 1.0% | 0.5% | 32 | 0.7% | 0.6% | +13 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 4,694 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,767 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -73 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.