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 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.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Rutherford, with comparison markers for Maitland (C).
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Anglican Church of Australia
Not stated
Uniting Church
Presbyterian
Christianity, nfd
Baptist
Inadequately described
Hinduism
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.