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 Newcastle (C), accounting for 44.8% (75,597 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (37.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 24,591 people and 12 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Newcastle (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Newcastle (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Newcastle (C), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
75,597
% of total
44.8%
Change from 2016
+12.0pp
75,597
44.8%
+12.0pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
31,764
% of total
18.8%
Change from 2016
-3.4pp
31,764
18.8%
-3.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
20,847
% of total
12.3%
Change from 2016
-4.7pp
20,847
12.3%
-4.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
9,535
% of total
5.6%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
9,535
5.6%
-1.9pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
4,833
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
4,833
2.9%
-1.3pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
4,285
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
4,285
2.5%
-0.1pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
2,897
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
2,897
1.7%
-0.8pp
Islam
2021 count
2,830
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
2,830
1.7%
+0.5pp
Baptist
2021 count
2,315
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
2,315
1.4%
-0.3pp
Hinduism
2021 count
1,839
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
1,839
1.1%
+0.4pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+24,591
+12.0pp
Western Catholic
-2,665
-3.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-5,502
-4.7pp
Not stated
-2,154
-1.9pp
Uniting Church
-1,683
-1.3pp
Christianity, nfd
+301
-0.1pp
Presbyterian
-915
-0.8pp
Islam
+952
+0.5pp
Baptist
-346
-0.3pp
Hinduism
+771
+0.4pp
Data table
Religion for Newcastle (C). 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 | 75,597 | 44.8% | 37.4% | 51,006 | 32.8% | 26.0% | +24,591 | +12.0pp |
| Western Catholic | 31,764 | 18.8% | 21.0% | 34,429 | 22.2% | 23.8% | -2,665 | -3.4pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 20,847 | 12.3% | 17.0% | 26,349 | 17.0% | 21.9% | -5,502 | -4.7pp |
| Not stated | 9,535 | 5.6% | 7.7% | 11,689 | 7.5% | 9.3% | -2,154 | -1.9pp |
| Uniting Church | 4,833 | 2.9% | 3.3% | 6,516 | 4.2% | 4.5% | -1,683 | -1.3pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 4,285 | 2.5% | 2.2% | 3,984 | 2.6% | 2.2% | +301 | -0.1pp |
| Presbyterian | 2,897 | 1.7% | 2.6% | 3,812 | 2.5% | 3.5% | -915 | -0.8pp |
| Islam | 2,830 | 1.7% | 0.7% | 1,878 | 1.2% | 0.5% | +952 | +0.5pp |
| Baptist | 2,315 | 1.4% | 1.2% | 2,661 | 1.7% | 1.3% | -346 | -0.3pp |
| Hinduism | 1,839 | 1.1% | 0.7% | 1,068 | 0.7% | 0.4% | +771 | +0.4pp |
| Total | 168,868 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 155,408 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +13,460 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.