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 Mid-Coast (A), accounting for 36.2% (34,922 people). This share was lower than Regional NSW (37.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 12,874 people and 11.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Mid-Coast (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Mid-Coast (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Mid-Coast (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
34,922
% of total
36.2%
Change from 2016
+11.8pp
34,922
36.2%
+11.8pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
21,797
% of total
22.6%
Change from 2016
-6.0pp
21,797
22.6%
-6.0pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
16,162
% of total
16.7%
Change from 2016
-2.4pp
16,162
16.7%
-2.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
7,948
% of total
8.2%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
7,948
8.2%
-0.8pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
3,759
% of total
3.9%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
3,759
3.9%
-1.5pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
2,869
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
2,869
3.0%
-0.9pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
2,132
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
2,132
2.2%
+0.1pp
Baptist
2021 count
1,628
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
1,628
1.7%
-0.4pp
Buddhism
2021 count
658
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
658
0.7%
0.0pp
Jehovah's Witnesses
2021 count
635
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
635
0.7%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+12,874
+11.8pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-4,044
-6.0pp
Western Catholic
-1,047
-2.4pp
Not stated
-159
-0.8pp
Uniting Church
-1,124
-1.5pp
Presbyterian
-612
-0.9pp
Christianity, nfd
+191
+0.1pp
Baptist
-298
-0.4pp
Buddhism
-12
0.0pp
Jehovah's Witnesses
+107
+0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Mid-Coast (A). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NSW.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional NSW% | Count | % | Regional NSW% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 34,922 | 36.2% | 37.4% | 22,048 | 24.4% | 26.0% | +12,874 | +11.8pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 21,797 | 22.6% | 17.0% | 25,841 | 28.6% | 21.9% | -4,044 | -6.0pp |
| Western Catholic | 16,162 | 16.7% | 21.0% | 17,209 | 19.1% | 23.8% | -1,047 | -2.4pp |
| Not stated | 7,948 | 8.2% | 7.7% | 8,107 | 9.0% | 9.3% | -159 | -0.8pp |
| Uniting Church | 3,759 | 3.9% | 3.3% | 4,883 | 5.4% | 4.5% | -1,124 | -1.5pp |
| Presbyterian | 2,869 | 3.0% | 2.6% | 3,481 | 3.9% | 3.5% | -612 | -0.9pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 2,132 | 2.2% | 2.2% | 1,941 | 2.1% | 2.2% | +191 | +0.1pp |
| Baptist | 1,628 | 1.7% | 1.2% | 1,926 | 2.1% | 1.3% | -298 | -0.4pp |
| Buddhism | 658 | 0.7% | 0.8% | 670 | 0.7% | 0.8% | -12 | 0.0pp |
| Jehovah's Witnesses | 635 | 0.7% | 0.4% | 528 | 0.6% | 0.4% | +107 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 96,532 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 90,283 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +6,249 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.