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 Rutherford, accounting for 38.2% (4,998 people). This share was similar to Maitland (C) (38.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 2,008 people and 13.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Rutherford - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Rutherford in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Maitland (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Rutherford, with comparison markers for Maitland (C).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
4,998
% of total
38.2%
Change from 2016
+13.1pp
4,998
38.2%
+13.1pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
2,937
% of total
22.5%
Change from 2016
-4.2pp
2,937
22.5%
-4.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
2,543
% of total
19.4%
Change from 2016
-4.0pp
2,543
19.4%
-4.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
758
% of total
5.8%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
758
5.8%
-2.0pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
391
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
391
3.0%
-1.3pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
288
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
288
2.2%
-0.8pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
226
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
226
1.7%
-0.3pp
Baptist
2021 count
167
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
167
1.3%
-0.3pp
Inadequately described
2021 count
82
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
82
0.6%
+0.1pp
Hinduism
2021 count
78
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
78
0.6%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+2,008
+13.1pp
Western Catholic
-238
-4.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-240
-4.0pp
Not stated
-172
-2.0pp
Uniting Church
-123
-1.3pp
Presbyterian
-74
-0.8pp
Christianity, nfd
-13
-0.3pp
Baptist
-22
-0.3pp
Inadequately described
+24
+0.1pp
Hinduism
+33
+0.2pp
Data table
Religion for Rutherford. 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 | 4,998 | 38.2% | 38.1% | 2,990 | 25.1% | 24.0% | +2,008 | +13.1pp |
| Western Catholic | 2,937 | 22.5% | 22.9% | 3,175 | 26.7% | 26.6% | -238 | -4.2pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 2,543 | 19.4% | 18.3% | 2,783 | 23.4% | 24.1% | -240 | -4.0pp |
| Not stated | 758 | 5.8% | 4.9% | 930 | 7.8% | 7.0% | -172 | -2.0pp |
| Uniting Church | 391 | 3.0% | 3.4% | 514 | 4.3% | 4.9% | -123 | -1.3pp |
| Presbyterian | 288 | 2.2% | 2.2% | 362 | 3.0% | 3.0% | -74 | -0.8pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 226 | 1.7% | 2.1% | 239 | 2.0% | 2.2% | -13 | -0.3pp |
| Baptist | 167 | 1.3% | 1.5% | 189 | 1.6% | 1.9% | -22 | -0.3pp |
| Inadequately described | 82 | 0.6% | 0.4% | 58 | 0.5% | 0.4% | +24 | +0.1pp |
| Hinduism | 78 | 0.6% | 0.7% | 45 | 0.4% | 0.5% | +33 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 13,077 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 11,891 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,186 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.