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 Macksville, accounting for 34% (941 people). This share was lower than Nambucca (A) (40.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 357 people and 11.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Macksville - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Macksville in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Nambucca (A) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Macksville, with comparison markers for Nambucca (A).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
941
% of total
34.0%
Change from 2016
+11.4pp
941
34.0%
+11.4pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
589
% of total
21.3%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
589
21.3%
-1.8pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
484
% of total
17.5%
Change from 2016
-4.3pp
484
17.5%
-4.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
211
% of total
7.6%
Change from 2016
-3.9pp
211
7.6%
-3.9pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
125
% of total
4.5%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
125
4.5%
-0.9pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
120
% of total
4.3%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
120
4.3%
-0.4pp
Jehovah's Witnesses
2021 count
54
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
54
1.9%
-0.7pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
51
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
51
1.8%
-0.3pp
Sikhism
2021 count
39
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
39
1.4%
+1.3pp
Salvation Army
2021 count
37
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
37
1.3%
-0.4pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+357
+11.4pp
Western Catholic
-9
-1.8pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-79
-4.3pp
Not stated
-87
-3.9pp
Presbyterian
-16
-0.9pp
Uniting Church
-1
-0.4pp
Jehovah's Witnesses
-13
-0.7pp
Christianity, nfd
-3
-0.3pp
Sikhism
+36
+1.3pp
Salvation Army
-8
-0.4pp
Data table
Religion for Macksville. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Nambucca (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Nambucca (A)% | Count | % | Nambucca (A)% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 941 | 34.0% | 40.4% | 584 | 22.6% | 29.2% | +357 | +11.4pp |
| Western Catholic | 589 | 21.3% | 17.2% | 598 | 23.1% | 19.4% | -9 | -1.8pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 484 | 17.5% | 15.8% | 563 | 21.8% | 21.7% | -79 | -4.3pp |
| Not stated | 211 | 7.6% | 9.5% | 298 | 11.5% | 10.5% | -87 | -3.9pp |
| Presbyterian | 125 | 4.5% | 3.6% | 141 | 5.4% | 4.9% | -16 | -0.9pp |
| Uniting Church | 120 | 4.3% | 3.1% | 121 | 4.7% | 4.0% | -1 | -0.4pp |
| Jehovah's Witnesses | 54 | 1.9% | 1.3% | 67 | 2.6% | 1.1% | -13 | -0.7pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 51 | 1.8% | 1.9% | 54 | 2.1% | 2.2% | -3 | -0.3pp |
| Sikhism | 39 | 1.4% | 0.3% | 3 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +36 | +1.3pp |
| Salvation Army | 37 | 1.3% | 0.7% | 45 | 1.7% | 1.0% | -8 | -0.4pp |
| Total | 2,770 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,588 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +182 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.