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 Snowy Monaro Regional (A), accounting for 41.6% (9,019 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (37.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 2,996 people and 11.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Snowy Monaro Regional (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Snowy Monaro Regional (A) 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 Snowy Monaro Regional (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
9,019
% of total
41.6%
Change from 2016
+11.8pp
9,019
41.6%
+11.8pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
4,387
% of total
20.2%
Change from 2016
-3.4pp
4,387
20.2%
-3.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
3,466
% of total
16.0%
Change from 2016
-4.4pp
3,466
16.0%
-4.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,989
% of total
9.2%
Change from 2016
-2.3pp
1,989
9.2%
-2.3pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
521
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
521
2.4%
-0.4pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
395
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
395
1.8%
-0.8pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
345
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
345
1.6%
0.0pp
Baptist
2021 count
283
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
283
1.3%
-0.4pp
Buddhism
2021 count
201
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
201
0.9%
0.0pp
Inadequately described
2021 count
114
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
114
0.5%
-0.2pp
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+2,996
+11.8pp
Western Catholic
-384
-3.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-653
-4.4pp
Not stated
-335
-2.3pp
Uniting Church
-35
-0.4pp
Presbyterian
-133
-0.8pp
Christianity, nfd
+25
0.0pp
Baptist
-56
-0.4pp
Buddhism
+16
0.0pp
Inadequately described
-34
-0.2pp
Data table
Religion for Snowy Monaro Regional (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 | 9,019 | 41.6% | 37.4% | 6,023 | 29.8% | 26.0% | +2,996 | +11.8pp |
| Western Catholic | 4,387 | 20.2% | 21.0% | 4,771 | 23.6% | 23.8% | -384 | -3.4pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 3,466 | 16.0% | 17.0% | 4,119 | 20.4% | 21.9% | -653 | -4.4pp |
| Not stated | 1,989 | 9.2% | 7.7% | 2,324 | 11.5% | 9.3% | -335 | -2.3pp |
| Uniting Church | 521 | 2.4% | 3.3% | 556 | 2.8% | 4.5% | -35 | -0.4pp |
| Presbyterian | 395 | 1.8% | 2.6% | 528 | 2.6% | 3.5% | -133 | -0.8pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 345 | 1.6% | 2.2% | 320 | 1.6% | 2.2% | +25 | 0.0pp |
| Baptist | 283 | 1.3% | 1.2% | 339 | 1.7% | 1.3% | -56 | -0.4pp |
| Buddhism | 201 | 0.9% | 0.8% | 185 | 0.9% | 0.8% | +16 | 0.0pp |
| Inadequately described | 114 | 0.5% | 0.4% | 148 | 0.7% | 0.4% | -34 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 21,669 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 20,209 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,460 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.