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 Stephens (A), accounting for 38.7% (29,119 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (37.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 11,136 people and 12.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Port Stephens (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Port Stephens (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 Stephens (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
29,119
% of total
38.7%
Change from 2016
+12.8pp
29,119
38.7%
+12.8pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
14,863
% of total
19.7%
Change from 2016
-5.2pp
14,863
19.7%
-5.2pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
14,788
% of total
19.6%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
14,788
19.6%
-2.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
4,500
% of total
6.0%
Change from 2016
-3.1pp
4,500
6.0%
-3.1pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
2,847
% of total
3.8%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
2,847
3.8%
-1.1pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
1,859
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
1,859
2.5%
-0.8pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
1,627
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
1,627
2.2%
0.0pp
Baptist
2021 count
1,259
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
1,259
1.7%
-0.5pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
767
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
767
1.0%
-0.1pp
Buddhism
2021 count
523
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
523
0.7%
0.0pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+11,136
+12.8pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-2,465
-5.2pp
Western Catholic
-265
-2.1pp
Not stated
-1,858
-3.1pp
Uniting Church
-556
-1.1pp
Presbyterian
-415
-0.8pp
Christianity, nfd
+93
0.0pp
Baptist
-239
-0.5pp
Pentecostal, nfd
+31
-0.1pp
Buddhism
+13
0.0pp
Data table
Religion for Port Stephens (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 | 29,119 | 38.7% | 37.4% | 17,983 | 25.9% | 26.0% | +11,136 | +12.8pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 14,863 | 19.7% | 17.0% | 17,328 | 24.9% | 21.9% | -2,465 | -5.2pp |
| Western Catholic | 14,788 | 19.6% | 21.0% | 15,053 | 21.7% | 23.8% | -265 | -2.1pp |
| Not stated | 4,500 | 6.0% | 7.7% | 6,358 | 9.1% | 9.3% | -1,858 | -3.1pp |
| Uniting Church | 2,847 | 3.8% | 3.3% | 3,403 | 4.9% | 4.5% | -556 | -1.1pp |
| Presbyterian | 1,859 | 2.5% | 2.6% | 2,274 | 3.3% | 3.5% | -415 | -0.8pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 1,627 | 2.2% | 2.2% | 1,534 | 2.2% | 2.2% | +93 | 0.0pp |
| Baptist | 1,259 | 1.7% | 1.2% | 1,498 | 2.2% | 1.3% | -239 | -0.5pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 767 | 1.0% | 0.7% | 736 | 1.1% | 0.8% | +31 | -0.1pp |
| Buddhism | 523 | 0.7% | 0.8% | 510 | 0.7% | 0.8% | +13 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 75,315 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 69,506 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +5,809 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.