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 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
2021 count
44,661
% of total
41.2%
Change from 2016
+12.1pp
44,661
41.2%
+12.1pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
19,817
% of total
18.3%
Change from 2016
-5.8pp
19,817
18.3%
-5.8pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
19,486
% of total
18.0%
Change from 2016
-2.3pp
19,486
18.0%
-2.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
8,507
% of total
7.8%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
8,507
7.8%
-1.9pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
2,887
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
2,887
2.7%
-0.9pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
2,680
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
2,680
2.5%
-0.9pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
2,364
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
2,364
2.2%
0.0pp
Baptist
2021 count
1,733
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
1,733
1.6%
0.0pp
Buddhism
2021 count
894
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
894
0.8%
-0.1pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
547
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
547
0.5%
-0.1pp
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.