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 increased by 205 people and 8.5 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
+8.5pp
520
31.1%
+8.5pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
394
% of total
23.5%
Change from 2016
-2.8pp
394
23.5%
-2.8pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
386
% of total
23.1%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
386
23.1%
-2.2pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
79
% of total
4.7%
Change from 2016
-3.1pp
79
4.7%
-3.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
77
% of total
4.6%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
77
4.6%
-0.6pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
56
% of total
3.3%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
56
3.3%
-1.0pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
40
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
40
2.4%
+0.4pp
Baptist
2021 count
32
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
32
1.9%
+0.5pp
Independent Evangelical Churches
2021 count
18
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
18
1.1%
+0.5pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
11
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
11
0.7%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+205
+8.5pp
Western Catholic
+27
-2.8pp
Anglican Church of Australia
+34
-2.2pp
Uniting Church
-29
-3.1pp
Not stated
+5
-0.6pp
Presbyterian
-4
-1.0pp
Christianity, nfd
+12
+0.4pp
Baptist
+13
+0.5pp
Independent Evangelical Churches
+10
+0.5pp
Pentecostal, nfd
-2
-0.2pp
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% | 315 | 22.6% | 24.0% | +205 | +8.5pp |
| Western Catholic | 394 | 23.5% | 22.9% | 367 | 26.3% | 26.6% | +27 | -2.8pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 386 | 23.1% | 18.3% | 352 | 25.3% | 24.1% | +34 | -2.2pp |
| Uniting Church | 79 | 4.7% | 3.4% | 108 | 7.8% | 4.9% | -29 | -3.1pp |
| Not stated | 77 | 4.6% | 4.9% | 72 | 5.2% | 7.0% | +5 | -0.6pp |
| Presbyterian | 56 | 3.3% | 2.2% | 60 | 4.3% | 3.0% | -4 | -1.0pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 40 | 2.4% | 2.1% | 28 | 2.0% | 2.2% | +12 | +0.4pp |
| Baptist | 32 | 1.9% | 1.5% | 19 | 1.4% | 1.9% | +13 | +0.5pp |
| Independent Evangelical Churches | 18 | 1.1% | 0.2% | 8 | 0.6% | 0.1% | +10 | +0.5pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 11 | 0.7% | 0.8% | 13 | 0.9% | 0.7% | -2 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 1,674 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,393 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +281 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.