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 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.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Shellharbour (C), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
27,973
% of total
36.7%
Change from 2016
+11.7pp
27,973
36.7%
+11.7pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
18,889
% of total
24.8%
Change from 2016
-3.1pp
18,889
24.8%
-3.1pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
11,857
% of total
15.5%
Change from 2016
-5.1pp
11,857
15.5%
-5.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
4,439
% of total
5.8%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
4,439
5.8%
-1.3pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
2,215
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
2,215
2.9%
0.0pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
1,769
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
1,769
2.3%
-1.1pp
Macedonian Orthodox
2021 count
1,486
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
1,486
1.9%
-0.1pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
1,238
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
1,238
1.6%
-0.8pp
Islam
2021 count
890
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
890
1.2%
+0.3pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
845
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
845
1.1%
-0.1pp
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.