Cultural diversity
Religion
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.
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.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Port Stephens (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
No Religion, so described
Anglican Church of Australia
Western Catholic
Not stated
Uniting Church
Presbyterian
Christianity, nfd
Baptist
Pentecostal, nfd
Buddhism
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.