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 Forster (NSW), accounting for 34.7% (4,921 people). This share was lower than Mid-Coast (A) (36.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 1,703 people and 11.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Forster (NSW) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Forster (NSW) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Mid-Coast (A) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Forster (NSW), with comparison markers for Mid-Coast (A).
No Religion, so described
Anglican Church of Australia
Western Catholic
Not stated
Uniting Church
Presbyterian
Christianity, nfd
Baptist
Jehovah's Witnesses
Buddhism
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+1,703
+11.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-690
-5.7pp
Western Catholic
-197
-2.1pp
Not stated
-221
-1.8pp
Uniting Church
-134
-1.1pp
Presbyterian
-119
-0.9pp
Christianity, nfd
+53
+0.3pp
Baptist
-61
-0.5pp
Jehovah's Witnesses
+27
+0.2pp
Buddhism
-9
-0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Forster (NSW). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mid-Coast (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Mid-Coast (A)% | Count | % | Mid-Coast (A)% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 4,921 | 34.7% | 36.2% | 3,218 | 23.4% | 24.4% | +1,703 | +11.3pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 3,216 | 22.7% | 22.6% | 3,906 | 28.4% | 28.6% | -690 | -5.7pp |
| Western Catholic | 2,863 | 20.2% | 16.7% | 3,060 | 22.3% | 19.1% | -197 | -2.1pp |
| Not stated | 993 | 7.0% | 8.2% | 1,214 | 8.8% | 9.0% | -221 | -1.8pp |
| Uniting Church | 495 | 3.5% | 3.9% | 629 | 4.6% | 5.4% | -134 | -1.1pp |
| Presbyterian | 396 | 2.8% | 3.0% | 515 | 3.7% | 3.9% | -119 | -0.9pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 248 | 1.7% | 2.2% | 195 | 1.4% | 2.1% | +53 | +0.3pp |
| Baptist | 170 | 1.2% | 1.7% | 231 | 1.7% | 2.1% | -61 | -0.5pp |
| Jehovah's Witnesses | 139 | 1.0% | 0.7% | 112 | 0.8% | 0.6% | +27 | +0.2pp |
| Buddhism | 100 | 0.7% | 0.7% | 109 | 0.8% | 0.7% | -9 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 14,178 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 13,743 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +435 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.