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 Heads, accounting for 38.7% (2,574 people). This share was lower than Nambucca (A) (40.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 398 people and 1.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Nambucca Heads - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Nambucca Heads in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Nambucca (A) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Nambucca Heads, with comparison markers for Nambucca (A).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
2,574
% of total
38.7%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
2,574
38.7%
+1.6pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
1,181
% of total
17.8%
Change from 2016
-5.9pp
1,181
17.8%
-5.9pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
1,109
% of total
16.7%
Change from 2016
+2.6pp
1,109
16.7%
+2.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
654
% of total
9.8%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
654
9.8%
+0.7pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
263
% of total
4.0%
Change from 2016
+2.2pp
263
4.0%
+2.2pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
206
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
206
3.1%
+1.4pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
122
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
122
1.8%
+0.1pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
80
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
80
1.2%
+1.0pp
Jehovah's Witnesses
2021 count
73
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-
73
1.1%
-
Buddhism
2021 count
62
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
62
0.9%
-1.4pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+398
+1.6pp
Western Catholic
-206
-5.9pp
Anglican Church of Australia
+285
+2.6pp
Not stated
+122
+0.7pp
Presbyterian
+155
+2.2pp
Uniting Church
+108
+1.4pp
Christianity, nfd
+22
+0.1pp
Pentecostal, nfd
+69
+1.0pp
Buddhism
-72
-1.4pp
Baptist
+35
+0.5pp
Data table
Religion for Nambucca Heads. 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 | 2,574 | 38.7% | 40.4% | 2,176 | 37.1% | 29.2% | +398 | +1.6pp |
| Western Catholic | 1,181 | 17.8% | 17.2% | 1,387 | 23.7% | 19.4% | -206 | -5.9pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 1,109 | 16.7% | 15.8% | 824 | 14.1% | 21.7% | +285 | +2.6pp |
| Not stated | 654 | 9.8% | 9.5% | 532 | 9.1% | 10.5% | +122 | +0.7pp |
| Presbyterian | 263 | 4.0% | 3.6% | 108 | 1.8% | 4.9% | +155 | +2.2pp |
| Uniting Church | 206 | 3.1% | 3.1% | 98 | 1.7% | 4.0% | +108 | +1.4pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 122 | 1.8% | 1.9% | 100 | 1.7% | 2.2% | +22 | +0.1pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 80 | 1.2% | 1.0% | 11 | 0.2% | 0.7% | +69 | +1.0pp |
| Jehovah's Witnesses | 73 | 1.1% | 1.3% | - | - | 1.1% | - | - |
| Buddhism | 62 | 0.9% | 0.9% | 134 | 2.3% | 1.0% | -72 | -1.4pp |
| Total | 6,651 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,858 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +793 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.