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 Morpeth, accounting for 31.1% (520 people). This share was lower than Maitland (C) (38.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which decreased by 8,397 people and 0.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Morpeth - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Morpeth in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Maitland (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Morpeth, with comparison markers for Maitland (C).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
520
% of total
31.1%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
520
31.1%
-0.2pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
394
% of total
23.5%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
394
23.5%
-0.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
386
% of total
23.1%
Change from 2016
+3.0pp
386
23.1%
+3.0pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
79
% of total
4.7%
Change from 2016
+2.8pp
79
4.7%
+2.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
77
% of total
4.6%
Change from 2016
-5.7pp
77
4.6%
-5.7pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
56
% of total
3.3%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
56
3.3%
+0.8pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
40
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
40
2.4%
+1.1pp
Baptist
2021 count
32
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
32
1.9%
+1.5pp
Independent Evangelical Churches
2021 count
18
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
18
1.1%
+1.1pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
11
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
11
0.7%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
-8,397
-0.2pp
Western Catholic
-6,384
-0.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-5,326
+3.0pp
Uniting Church
-461
+2.8pp
Not stated
-2,849
-5.7pp
Presbyterian
-665
+0.8pp
Christianity, nfd
-326
+1.1pp
Baptist
-80
+1.5pp
Independent Evangelical Churches
+13
+1.1pp
Pentecostal, nfd
-148
+0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Morpeth. 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 | 520 | 31.1% | 38.1% | 8,917 | 31.3% | 24.0% | -8,397 | -0.2pp |
| Western Catholic | 394 | 23.5% | 22.9% | 6,778 | 23.8% | 26.6% | -6,384 | -0.3pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 386 | 23.1% | 18.3% | 5,712 | 20.1% | 24.1% | -5,326 | +3.0pp |
| Uniting Church | 79 | 4.7% | 3.4% | 540 | 1.9% | 4.9% | -461 | +2.8pp |
| Not stated | 77 | 4.6% | 4.9% | 2,926 | 10.3% | 7.0% | -2,849 | -5.7pp |
| Presbyterian | 56 | 3.3% | 2.2% | 721 | 2.5% | 3.0% | -665 | +0.8pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 40 | 2.4% | 2.1% | 366 | 1.3% | 2.2% | -326 | +1.1pp |
| Baptist | 32 | 1.9% | 1.5% | 112 | 0.4% | 1.9% | -80 | +1.5pp |
| Independent Evangelical Churches | 18 | 1.1% | 0.2% | 5 | 0.0% | 0.1% | +13 | +1.1pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 11 | 0.7% | 0.8% | 159 | 0.6% | 0.7% | -148 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 1,674 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 28,482 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -26,808 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.