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 Parkes (A), accounting for 26.9% (3,865 people). This share was lower than Regional NSW (37.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 1,544 people and 11 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Parkes (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Parkes (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Parkes (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
3,865
% of total
26.9%
Change from 2016
+11.0pp
3,865
26.9%
+11.0pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
3,579
% of total
24.9%
Change from 2016
-2.3pp
3,579
24.9%
-2.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
2,968
% of total
20.7%
Change from 2016
-4.6pp
2,968
20.7%
-4.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,195
% of total
8.3%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
1,195
8.3%
-1.9pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
821
% of total
5.7%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
821
5.7%
-1.2pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
500
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
500
3.5%
-0.9pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
384
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
384
2.7%
+0.7pp
Baptist
2021 count
331
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
331
2.3%
-0.4pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
128
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
128
0.9%
-0.4pp
Lutheran
2021 count
70
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
70
0.5%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+1,544
+11.0pp
Western Catholic
-407
-2.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-740
-4.6pp
Not stated
-300
-1.9pp
Uniting Church
-195
-1.2pp
Presbyterian
-139
-0.9pp
Christianity, nfd
+91
+0.7pp
Baptist
-69
-0.4pp
Pentecostal, nfd
-68
-0.4pp
Lutheran
-13
-0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Parkes (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 | 3,865 | 26.9% | 37.4% | 2,321 | 15.9% | 26.0% | +1,544 | +11.0pp |
| Western Catholic | 3,579 | 24.9% | 21.0% | 3,986 | 27.2% | 23.8% | -407 | -2.3pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 2,968 | 20.7% | 17.0% | 3,708 | 25.3% | 21.9% | -740 | -4.6pp |
| Not stated | 1,195 | 8.3% | 7.7% | 1,495 | 10.2% | 9.3% | -300 | -1.9pp |
| Uniting Church | 821 | 5.7% | 3.3% | 1,016 | 6.9% | 4.5% | -195 | -1.2pp |
| Presbyterian | 500 | 3.5% | 2.6% | 639 | 4.4% | 3.5% | -139 | -0.9pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 384 | 2.7% | 2.2% | 293 | 2.0% | 2.2% | +91 | +0.7pp |
| Baptist | 331 | 2.3% | 1.2% | 400 | 2.7% | 1.3% | -69 | -0.4pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 128 | 0.9% | 0.7% | 196 | 1.3% | 0.8% | -68 | -0.4pp |
| Lutheran | 70 | 0.5% | 0.3% | 83 | 0.6% | 0.4% | -13 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 14,351 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 14,631 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -280 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.