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 Thornton (NSW), accounting for 40.2% (4,280 people). This share was higher than Maitland (C) (38.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 2,458 people and 17.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Thornton (NSW) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Thornton (NSW) 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 Thornton (NSW), with comparison markers for Maitland (C).
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Anglican Church of Australia
Not stated
Uniting Church
Christianity, nfd
Presbyterian
Baptist
Pentecostal, nfd
Islam
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+2,458
+17.5pp
Western Catholic
+28
-6.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-169
-8.3pp
Not stated
+11
-1.1pp
Uniting Church
-76
-2.1pp
Christianity, nfd
+50
-0.1pp
Presbyterian
-18
-0.8pp
Baptist
-21
-0.7pp
Pentecostal, nfd
+54
+0.3pp
Islam
+69
+0.5pp
Data table
Religion for Thornton (NSW). 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 | 4,280 | 40.2% | 38.1% | 1,822 | 22.7% | 24.0% | +2,458 | +17.5pp |
| Western Catholic | 2,155 | 20.2% | 22.9% | 2,127 | 26.5% | 26.6% | +28 | -6.3pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 2,028 | 19.0% | 18.3% | 2,197 | 27.3% | 24.1% | -169 | -8.3pp |
| Not stated | 408 | 3.8% | 4.9% | 397 | 4.9% | 7.0% | +11 | -1.1pp |
| Uniting Church | 384 | 3.6% | 3.4% | 460 | 5.7% | 4.9% | -76 | -2.1pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 240 | 2.3% | 2.1% | 190 | 2.4% | 2.2% | +50 | -0.1pp |
| Presbyterian | 200 | 1.9% | 2.2% | 218 | 2.7% | 3.0% | -18 | -0.8pp |
| Baptist | 158 | 1.5% | 1.5% | 179 | 2.2% | 1.9% | -21 | -0.7pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 115 | 1.1% | 0.8% | 61 | 0.8% | 0.7% | +54 | +0.3pp |
| Islam | 101 | 0.9% | 0.6% | 32 | 0.4% | 0.4% | +69 | +0.5pp |
| Total | 10,649 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 8,040 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,609 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.