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 Moree Plains (A), accounting for 22.5% (2,872 people). This share was lower than Regional NSW (37.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Anglican Church of Australia, which decreased by 945 people and 6.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Moree Plains (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Moree Plains (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Moree Plains (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
2,872
% of total
22.5%
Change from 2016
+6.8pp
2,872
22.5%
+6.8pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
2,808
% of total
22.0%
Change from 2016
-5.8pp
2,808
22.0%
-5.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
2,760
% of total
21.6%
Change from 2016
+8.2pp
2,760
21.6%
+8.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
2,701
% of total
21.2%
Change from 2016
-6.5pp
2,701
21.2%
-6.5pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
390
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
390
3.1%
-1.1pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
282
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
282
2.2%
-0.8pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
250
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
250
2.0%
+0.2pp
Baptist
2021 count
90
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
90
0.7%
-0.4pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
73
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
73
0.6%
-0.4pp
Buddhism
2021 count
63
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
63
0.5%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+803
+6.8pp
Western Catholic
-847
-5.8pp
Not stated
+1,004
+8.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-945
-6.5pp
Presbyterian
-156
-1.1pp
Uniting Church
-108
-0.8pp
Christianity, nfd
+15
+0.2pp
Baptist
-55
-0.4pp
Pentecostal, nfd
-52
-0.4pp
Buddhism
+14
+0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Moree Plains (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 | 2,872 | 22.5% | 37.4% | 2,069 | 15.7% | 26.0% | +803 | +6.8pp |
| Western Catholic | 2,808 | 22.0% | 21.0% | 3,655 | 27.8% | 23.8% | -847 | -5.8pp |
| Not stated | 2,760 | 21.6% | 7.7% | 1,756 | 13.4% | 9.3% | +1,004 | +8.2pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 2,701 | 21.2% | 17.0% | 3,646 | 27.7% | 21.9% | -945 | -6.5pp |
| Presbyterian | 390 | 3.1% | 2.6% | 546 | 4.2% | 3.5% | -156 | -1.1pp |
| Uniting Church | 282 | 2.2% | 3.3% | 390 | 3.0% | 4.5% | -108 | -0.8pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 250 | 2.0% | 2.2% | 235 | 1.8% | 2.2% | +15 | +0.2pp |
| Baptist | 90 | 0.7% | 1.2% | 145 | 1.1% | 1.3% | -55 | -0.4pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 73 | 0.6% | 0.7% | 125 | 1.0% | 0.8% | -52 | -0.4pp |
| Buddhism | 63 | 0.5% | 0.8% | 49 | 0.4% | 0.8% | +14 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 12,750 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 13,142 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -392 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.