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 Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional (A), accounting for 38.4% (24,271 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (37.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 8,209 people and 9.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional (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 Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
24,271
% of total
38.4%
Change from 2016
+9.7pp
24,271
38.4%
+9.7pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
15,101
% of total
23.9%
Change from 2016
-2.9pp
15,101
23.9%
-2.9pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
8,123
% of total
12.8%
Change from 2016
-3.6pp
8,123
12.8%
-3.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
3,797
% of total
6.0%
Change from 2016
-3.4pp
3,797
6.0%
-3.4pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
1,559
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
1,559
2.5%
+0.1pp
Hinduism
2021 count
1,450
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
1,450
2.3%
+1.1pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
1,195
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
1,195
1.9%
-0.7pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
984
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
984
1.6%
-0.5pp
Islam
2021 count
861
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
861
1.4%
+0.3pp
Sikhism
2021 count
732
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
732
1.2%
+0.4pp
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+8,209
+9.7pp
Western Catholic
+71
-2.9pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-1,046
-3.6pp
Not stated
-1,474
-3.4pp
Christianity, nfd
+242
+0.1pp
Hinduism
+770
+1.1pp
Uniting Church
-263
-0.7pp
Presbyterian
-167
-0.5pp
Islam
+223
+0.3pp
Sikhism
+301
+0.4pp
Data table
Religion for Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional (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 | 24,271 | 38.4% | 37.4% | 16,062 | 28.7% | 26.0% | +8,209 | +9.7pp |
| Western Catholic | 15,101 | 23.9% | 21.0% | 15,030 | 26.8% | 23.8% | +71 | -2.9pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 8,123 | 12.8% | 17.0% | 9,169 | 16.4% | 21.9% | -1,046 | -3.6pp |
| Not stated | 3,797 | 6.0% | 7.7% | 5,271 | 9.4% | 9.3% | -1,474 | -3.4pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 1,559 | 2.5% | 2.2% | 1,317 | 2.4% | 2.2% | +242 | +0.1pp |
| Hinduism | 1,450 | 2.3% | 0.7% | 680 | 1.2% | 0.4% | +770 | +1.1pp |
| Uniting Church | 1,195 | 1.9% | 3.3% | 1,458 | 2.6% | 4.5% | -263 | -0.7pp |
| Presbyterian | 984 | 1.6% | 2.6% | 1,151 | 2.1% | 3.5% | -167 | -0.5pp |
| Islam | 861 | 1.4% | 0.7% | 638 | 1.1% | 0.5% | +223 | +0.3pp |
| Sikhism | 732 | 1.2% | 0.3% | 431 | 0.8% | 0.2% | +301 | +0.4pp |
| Total | 63,267 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 56,000 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +7,267 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.