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 Shellharbour (C), accounting for 36.7% (27,973 people). This share was lower than Regional NSW (37.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 10,844 people and 11.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Shellharbour (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Shellharbour (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Shellharbour (C), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Anglican Church of Australia
Not stated
Christianity, nfd
Uniting Church
Macedonian Orthodox
Presbyterian
Islam
Greek Orthodox
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+10,844
+11.7pp
Western Catholic
-225
-3.1pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-2,223
-5.1pp
Not stated
-435
-1.3pp
Christianity, nfd
+205
0.0pp
Uniting Church
-531
-1.1pp
Macedonian Orthodox
+144
-0.1pp
Presbyterian
-400
-0.8pp
Islam
+249
+0.3pp
Greek Orthodox
+51
-0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Shellharbour (C). 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 | 27,973 | 36.7% | 37.4% | 17,129 | 25.0% | 26.0% | +10,844 | +11.7pp |
| Western Catholic | 18,889 | 24.8% | 21.0% | 19,114 | 27.9% | 23.8% | -225 | -3.1pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 11,857 | 15.5% | 17.0% | 14,080 | 20.6% | 21.9% | -2,223 | -5.1pp |
| Not stated | 4,439 | 5.8% | 7.7% | 4,874 | 7.1% | 9.3% | -435 | -1.3pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 2,215 | 2.9% | 2.2% | 2,010 | 2.9% | 2.2% | +205 | 0.0pp |
| Uniting Church | 1,769 | 2.3% | 3.3% | 2,300 | 3.4% | 4.5% | -531 | -1.1pp |
| Macedonian Orthodox | 1,486 | 1.9% | 0.3% | 1,342 | 2.0% | 0.3% | +144 | -0.1pp |
| Presbyterian | 1,238 | 1.6% | 2.6% | 1,638 | 2.4% | 3.5% | -400 | -0.8pp |
| Islam | 890 | 1.2% | 0.7% | 641 | 0.9% | 0.5% | +249 | +0.3pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 845 | 1.1% | 0.4% | 794 | 1.2% | 0.4% | +51 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 76,265 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 68,462 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +7,803 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.