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 Shoalhaven (C), accounting for 41.2% (44,661 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (37.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 15,699 people and 12.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Shoalhaven (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Shoalhaven (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Shoalhaven (C), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
No Religion, so described
Anglican Church of Australia
Western Catholic
Not stated
Uniting Church
Presbyterian
Christianity, nfd
Baptist
Buddhism
Pentecostal, nfd
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+15,699
+12.1pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-4,214
-5.8pp
Western Catholic
-691
-2.3pp
Not stated
-1,164
-1.9pp
Uniting Church
-729
-0.9pp
Presbyterian
-743
-0.9pp
Christianity, nfd
+186
0.0pp
Baptist
+174
0.0pp
Buddhism
-15
-0.1pp
Pentecostal, nfd
-89
-0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Shoalhaven (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 | 44,661 | 41.2% | 37.4% | 28,962 | 29.1% | 26.0% | +15,699 | +12.1pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 19,817 | 18.3% | 17.0% | 24,031 | 24.1% | 21.9% | -4,214 | -5.8pp |
| Western Catholic | 19,486 | 18.0% | 21.0% | 20,177 | 20.3% | 23.8% | -691 | -2.3pp |
| Not stated | 8,507 | 7.8% | 7.7% | 9,671 | 9.7% | 9.3% | -1,164 | -1.9pp |
| Uniting Church | 2,887 | 2.7% | 3.3% | 3,616 | 3.6% | 4.5% | -729 | -0.9pp |
| Presbyterian | 2,680 | 2.5% | 2.6% | 3,423 | 3.4% | 3.5% | -743 | -0.9pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 2,364 | 2.2% | 2.2% | 2,178 | 2.2% | 2.2% | +186 | 0.0pp |
| Baptist | 1,733 | 1.6% | 1.2% | 1,559 | 1.6% | 1.3% | +174 | 0.0pp |
| Buddhism | 894 | 0.8% | 0.8% | 909 | 0.9% | 0.8% | -15 | -0.1pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 547 | 0.5% | 0.7% | 636 | 0.6% | 0.8% | -89 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 108,486 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 99,615 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +8,871 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.