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 Singleton (A), accounting for 35.2% (8,649 people). This share was lower than Regional NSW (37.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 3,593 people and 13.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Singleton (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Singleton (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Singleton (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
8,649
% of total
35.2%
Change from 2016
+13.2pp
8,649
35.2%
+13.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
5,615
% of total
22.9%
Change from 2016
-6.4pp
5,615
22.9%
-6.4pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
5,383
% of total
21.9%
Change from 2016
-2.8pp
5,383
21.9%
-2.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,710
% of total
7.0%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
1,710
7.0%
-2.0pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
879
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
879
3.6%
-1.0pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
411
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
411
1.7%
0.0pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
375
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
375
1.5%
-0.8pp
Baptist
2021 count
302
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
302
1.2%
-0.2pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
156
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
156
0.6%
+0.1pp
Buddhism
2021 count
142
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
142
0.6%
0.0pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+3,593
+13.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-1,129
-6.4pp
Western Catholic
-299
-2.8pp
Not stated
-369
-2.0pp
Uniting Church
-178
-1.0pp
Christianity, nfd
+12
0.0pp
Presbyterian
-153
-0.8pp
Baptist
-14
-0.2pp
Pentecostal, nfd
+43
+0.1pp
Buddhism
+10
0.0pp
Data table
Religion for Singleton (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 | 8,649 | 35.2% | 37.4% | 5,056 | 22.0% | 26.0% | +3,593 | +13.2pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 5,615 | 22.9% | 17.0% | 6,744 | 29.3% | 21.9% | -1,129 | -6.4pp |
| Western Catholic | 5,383 | 21.9% | 21.0% | 5,682 | 24.7% | 23.8% | -299 | -2.8pp |
| Not stated | 1,710 | 7.0% | 7.7% | 2,079 | 9.0% | 9.3% | -369 | -2.0pp |
| Uniting Church | 879 | 3.6% | 3.3% | 1,057 | 4.6% | 4.5% | -178 | -1.0pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 411 | 1.7% | 2.2% | 399 | 1.7% | 2.2% | +12 | 0.0pp |
| Presbyterian | 375 | 1.5% | 2.6% | 528 | 2.3% | 3.5% | -153 | -0.8pp |
| Baptist | 302 | 1.2% | 1.2% | 316 | 1.4% | 1.3% | -14 | -0.2pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 156 | 0.6% | 0.7% | 113 | 0.5% | 0.8% | +43 | +0.1pp |
| Buddhism | 142 | 0.6% | 0.8% | 132 | 0.6% | 0.8% | +10 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 24,555 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 22,985 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,570 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.