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 Orange (C), accounting for 32.6% (14,163 people). This share was lower than Regional NSW (37.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 5,378 people and 10.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Orange (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Orange (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Orange (C), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
14,163
% of total
32.6%
Change from 2016
+10.8pp
14,163
32.6%
+10.8pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
11,300
% of total
26.0%
Change from 2016
-3.6pp
11,300
26.0%
-3.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
6,826
% of total
15.7%
Change from 2016
-4.8pp
6,826
15.7%
-4.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
2,798
% of total
6.4%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
2,798
6.4%
-1.5pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
2,056
% of total
4.7%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
2,056
4.7%
-1.7pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
1,139
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
1,139
2.6%
+0.1pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
911
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
911
2.1%
-0.5pp
Baptist
2021 count
527
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
527
1.2%
0.0pp
Hinduism
2021 count
494
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
494
1.1%
+0.4pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
382
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
382
0.9%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+5,378
+10.8pp
Western Catholic
-661
-3.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-1,440
-4.8pp
Not stated
-405
-1.5pp
Uniting Church
-528
-1.7pp
Christianity, nfd
+130
+0.1pp
Presbyterian
-123
-0.5pp
Baptist
+52
0.0pp
Hinduism
+222
+0.4pp
Pentecostal, nfd
-24
-0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Orange (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 | 14,163 | 32.6% | 37.4% | 8,785 | 21.8% | 26.0% | +5,378 | +10.8pp |
| Western Catholic | 11,300 | 26.0% | 21.0% | 11,961 | 29.6% | 23.8% | -661 | -3.6pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 6,826 | 15.7% | 17.0% | 8,266 | 20.5% | 21.9% | -1,440 | -4.8pp |
| Not stated | 2,798 | 6.4% | 7.7% | 3,203 | 7.9% | 9.3% | -405 | -1.5pp |
| Uniting Church | 2,056 | 4.7% | 3.3% | 2,584 | 6.4% | 4.5% | -528 | -1.7pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 1,139 | 2.6% | 2.2% | 1,009 | 2.5% | 2.2% | +130 | +0.1pp |
| Presbyterian | 911 | 2.1% | 2.6% | 1,034 | 2.6% | 3.5% | -123 | -0.5pp |
| Baptist | 527 | 1.2% | 1.2% | 475 | 1.2% | 1.3% | +52 | 0.0pp |
| Hinduism | 494 | 1.1% | 0.7% | 272 | 0.7% | 0.4% | +222 | +0.4pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 382 | 0.9% | 0.7% | 406 | 1.0% | 0.8% | -24 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 43,481 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 40,356 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +3,125 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.