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 Port Macquarie-Hastings (A), accounting for 37.7% (32,683 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (37.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 12,571 people and 12.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Port Macquarie-Hastings (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Port Macquarie-Hastings (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Port Macquarie-Hastings (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
32,683
% of total
37.7%
Change from 2016
+12.1pp
32,683
37.7%
+12.1pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
17,722
% of total
20.4%
Change from 2016
-2.6pp
17,722
20.4%
-2.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
17,013
% of total
19.6%
Change from 2016
-5.0pp
17,013
19.6%
-5.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
5,233
% of total
6.0%
Change from 2016
-2.4pp
5,233
6.0%
-2.4pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
3,084
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
3,084
3.6%
-1.2pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
2,423
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
2,423
2.8%
-0.8pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
2,169
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
2,169
2.5%
-0.1pp
Baptist
2021 count
880
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
880
1.0%
-0.2pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
639
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
639
0.7%
-0.1pp
Buddhism
2021 count
602
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
602
0.7%
0.0pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+12,571
+12.1pp
Western Catholic
-377
-2.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-2,315
-5.0pp
Not stated
-1,381
-2.4pp
Uniting Church
-677
-1.2pp
Presbyterian
-410
-0.8pp
Christianity, nfd
+137
-0.1pp
Baptist
-35
-0.2pp
Pentecostal, nfd
-22
-0.1pp
Buddhism
+60
0.0pp
Data table
Religion for Port Macquarie-Hastings (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 | 32,683 | 37.7% | 37.4% | 20,112 | 25.6% | 26.0% | +12,571 | +12.1pp |
| Western Catholic | 17,722 | 20.4% | 21.0% | 18,099 | 23.0% | 23.8% | -377 | -2.6pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 17,013 | 19.6% | 17.0% | 19,328 | 24.6% | 21.9% | -2,315 | -5.0pp |
| Not stated | 5,233 | 6.0% | 7.7% | 6,614 | 8.4% | 9.3% | -1,381 | -2.4pp |
| Uniting Church | 3,084 | 3.6% | 3.3% | 3,761 | 4.8% | 4.5% | -677 | -1.2pp |
| Presbyterian | 2,423 | 2.8% | 2.6% | 2,833 | 3.6% | 3.5% | -410 | -0.8pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 2,169 | 2.5% | 2.2% | 2,032 | 2.6% | 2.2% | +137 | -0.1pp |
| Baptist | 880 | 1.0% | 1.2% | 915 | 1.2% | 1.3% | -35 | -0.2pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 639 | 0.7% | 0.7% | 661 | 0.8% | 0.8% | -22 | -0.1pp |
| Buddhism | 602 | 0.7% | 0.8% | 542 | 0.7% | 0.8% | +60 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 86,733 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 78,529 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +8,204 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.