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 Murray River (A), accounting for 39.4% (5,056 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (37.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 1,798 people and 11.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Murray River (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Murray River (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Murray River (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
5,056
% of total
39.4%
Change from 2016
+11.5pp
5,056
39.4%
+11.5pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
2,854
% of total
22.2%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
2,854
22.2%
-1.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
1,969
% of total
15.3%
Change from 2016
-4.0pp
1,969
15.3%
-4.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,115
% of total
8.7%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
1,115
8.7%
-1.0pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
842
% of total
6.6%
Change from 2016
-2.7pp
842
6.6%
-2.7pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
335
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
335
2.6%
-1.2pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
129
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
129
1.0%
-0.6pp
Baptist
2021 count
119
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
119
0.9%
-0.1pp
Buddhism
2021 count
99
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
99
0.8%
+0.3pp
Lutheran
2021 count
60
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
60
0.5%
0.0pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+1,798
+11.5pp
Western Catholic
+75
-1.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-280
-4.0pp
Not stated
-19
-1.0pp
Uniting Church
-242
-2.7pp
Presbyterian
-106
-1.2pp
Christianity, nfd
-55
-0.6pp
Baptist
+2
-0.1pp
Buddhism
+43
+0.3pp
Lutheran
-1
0.0pp
Data table
Religion for Murray River (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 | 5,056 | 39.4% | 37.4% | 3,258 | 27.9% | 26.0% | +1,798 | +11.5pp |
| Western Catholic | 2,854 | 22.2% | 21.0% | 2,779 | 23.8% | 23.8% | +75 | -1.6pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 1,969 | 15.3% | 17.0% | 2,249 | 19.3% | 21.9% | -280 | -4.0pp |
| Not stated | 1,115 | 8.7% | 7.7% | 1,134 | 9.7% | 9.3% | -19 | -1.0pp |
| Uniting Church | 842 | 6.6% | 3.3% | 1,084 | 9.3% | 4.5% | -242 | -2.7pp |
| Presbyterian | 335 | 2.6% | 2.6% | 441 | 3.8% | 3.5% | -106 | -1.2pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 129 | 1.0% | 2.2% | 184 | 1.6% | 2.2% | -55 | -0.6pp |
| Baptist | 119 | 0.9% | 1.2% | 117 | 1.0% | 1.3% | +2 | -0.1pp |
| Buddhism | 99 | 0.8% | 0.8% | 56 | 0.5% | 0.8% | +43 | +0.3pp |
| Lutheran | 60 | 0.5% | 0.3% | 61 | 0.5% | 0.4% | -1 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 12,838 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 11,664 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,174 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.