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-Western Regional (A), accounting for 34.4% (8,827 people). This share was lower than Regional NSW (37.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 3,505 people and 12.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Mid-Western Regional (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Mid-Western Regional (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-Western Regional (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
8,827
% of total
34.4%
Change from 2016
+12.3pp
8,827
34.4%
+12.3pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
5,994
% of total
23.3%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
5,994
23.3%
-1.8pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
5,603
% of total
21.8%
Change from 2016
-5.6pp
5,603
21.8%
-5.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
2,221
% of total
8.6%
Change from 2016
-2.8pp
2,221
8.6%
-2.8pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
707
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
707
2.8%
-1.0pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
679
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
679
2.6%
-0.8pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
384
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
384
1.5%
0.0pp
Baptist
2021 count
207
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
207
0.8%
-0.3pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
125
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
125
0.5%
0.0pp
Buddhism
2021 count
117
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
117
0.5%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+3,505
+12.3pp
Western Catholic
-49
-1.8pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-987
-5.6pp
Not stated
-514
-2.8pp
Presbyterian
-197
-1.0pp
Uniting Church
-143
-0.8pp
Christianity, nfd
+14
0.0pp
Baptist
-47
-0.3pp
Pentecostal, nfd
-1
0.0pp
Buddhism
-21
-0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Mid-Western Regional (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 | 8,827 | 34.4% | 37.4% | 5,322 | 22.1% | 26.0% | +3,505 | +12.3pp |
| Western Catholic | 5,994 | 23.3% | 21.0% | 6,043 | 25.1% | 23.8% | -49 | -1.8pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 5,603 | 21.8% | 17.0% | 6,590 | 27.4% | 21.9% | -987 | -5.6pp |
| Not stated | 2,221 | 8.6% | 7.7% | 2,735 | 11.4% | 9.3% | -514 | -2.8pp |
| Presbyterian | 707 | 2.8% | 2.6% | 904 | 3.8% | 3.5% | -197 | -1.0pp |
| Uniting Church | 679 | 2.6% | 3.3% | 822 | 3.4% | 4.5% | -143 | -0.8pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 384 | 1.5% | 2.2% | 370 | 1.5% | 2.2% | +14 | 0.0pp |
| Baptist | 207 | 0.8% | 1.2% | 254 | 1.1% | 1.3% | -47 | -0.3pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 125 | 0.5% | 0.7% | 126 | 0.5% | 0.8% | -1 | 0.0pp |
| Buddhism | 117 | 0.5% | 0.8% | 138 | 0.6% | 0.8% | -21 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 25,678 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 24,060 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,618 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.