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 Nambucca (A), accounting for 40.4% (8,237 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (37.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 2,626 people and 11.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Nambucca (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Nambucca (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Nambucca (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
8,237
% of total
40.4%
Change from 2016
+11.2pp
8,237
40.4%
+11.2pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
3,513
% of total
17.2%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
3,513
17.2%
-2.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
3,226
% of total
15.8%
Change from 2016
-5.9pp
3,226
15.8%
-5.9pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,927
% of total
9.5%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
1,927
9.5%
-1.0pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
733
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
733
3.6%
-1.3pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
626
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
626
3.1%
-0.9pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
393
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
393
1.9%
-0.3pp
Jehovah's Witnesses
2021 count
260
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
260
1.3%
+0.2pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
204
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
204
1.0%
+0.3pp
Buddhism
2021 count
189
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
189
0.9%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+2,626
+11.2pp
Western Catholic
-202
-2.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-941
-5.9pp
Not stated
-81
-1.0pp
Presbyterian
-198
-1.3pp
Uniting Church
-145
-0.9pp
Christianity, nfd
-37
-0.3pp
Jehovah's Witnesses
+50
+0.2pp
Pentecostal, nfd
+62
+0.3pp
Buddhism
+3
-0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Nambucca (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 | 8,237 | 40.4% | 37.4% | 5,611 | 29.2% | 26.0% | +2,626 | +11.2pp |
| Western Catholic | 3,513 | 17.2% | 21.0% | 3,715 | 19.4% | 23.8% | -202 | -2.2pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 3,226 | 15.8% | 17.0% | 4,167 | 21.7% | 21.9% | -941 | -5.9pp |
| Not stated | 1,927 | 9.5% | 7.7% | 2,008 | 10.5% | 9.3% | -81 | -1.0pp |
| Presbyterian | 733 | 3.6% | 2.6% | 931 | 4.9% | 3.5% | -198 | -1.3pp |
| Uniting Church | 626 | 3.1% | 3.3% | 771 | 4.0% | 4.5% | -145 | -0.9pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 393 | 1.9% | 2.2% | 430 | 2.2% | 2.2% | -37 | -0.3pp |
| Jehovah's Witnesses | 260 | 1.3% | 0.4% | 210 | 1.1% | 0.4% | +50 | +0.2pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 204 | 1.0% | 0.7% | 142 | 0.7% | 0.8% | +62 | +0.3pp |
| Buddhism | 189 | 0.9% | 0.8% | 186 | 1.0% | 0.8% | +3 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 20,381 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 19,186 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,195 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.