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 Richmond Valley (A), accounting for 33.5% (7,892 people). This share was lower than Regional NSW (37.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 2,611 people and 10.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Richmond Valley (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Richmond Valley (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 Richmond Valley (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
7,892
% of total
33.5%
Change from 2016
+10.3pp
7,892
33.5%
+10.3pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
5,063
% of total
21.5%
Change from 2016
-3.8pp
5,063
21.5%
-3.8pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
4,121
% of total
17.5%
Change from 2016
-4.7pp
4,121
17.5%
-4.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
2,562
% of total
10.9%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
2,562
10.9%
+1.3pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
1,095
% of total
4.6%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
1,095
4.6%
-1.4pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
862
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
862
3.7%
-1.3pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
564
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
564
2.4%
+0.4pp
Baptist
2021 count
263
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
263
1.1%
-0.2pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
176
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
176
0.7%
-0.3pp
Jehovah's Witnesses
2021 count
122
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
122
0.5%
0.0pp
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+2,611
+10.3pp
Western Catholic
-709
-3.8pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-951
-4.7pp
Not stated
+364
+1.3pp
Presbyterian
-278
-1.4pp
Uniting Church
-283
-1.3pp
Christianity, nfd
+101
+0.4pp
Baptist
-29
-0.2pp
Pentecostal, nfd
-53
-0.3pp
Jehovah's Witnesses
+7
0.0pp
Data table
Religion for Richmond Valley (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 | 7,892 | 33.5% | 37.4% | 5,281 | 23.2% | 26.0% | +2,611 | +10.3pp |
| Western Catholic | 5,063 | 21.5% | 21.0% | 5,772 | 25.3% | 23.8% | -709 | -3.8pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 4,121 | 17.5% | 17.0% | 5,072 | 22.2% | 21.9% | -951 | -4.7pp |
| Not stated | 2,562 | 10.9% | 7.7% | 2,198 | 9.6% | 9.3% | +364 | +1.3pp |
| Presbyterian | 1,095 | 4.6% | 2.6% | 1,373 | 6.0% | 3.5% | -278 | -1.4pp |
| Uniting Church | 862 | 3.7% | 3.3% | 1,145 | 5.0% | 4.5% | -283 | -1.3pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 564 | 2.4% | 2.2% | 463 | 2.0% | 2.2% | +101 | +0.4pp |
| Baptist | 263 | 1.1% | 1.2% | 292 | 1.3% | 1.3% | -29 | -0.2pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 176 | 0.7% | 0.7% | 229 | 1.0% | 0.8% | -53 | -0.3pp |
| Jehovah's Witnesses | 122 | 0.5% | 0.4% | 115 | 0.5% | 0.4% | +7 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 23,577 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 22,811 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +766 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.