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 Valleys (A), accounting for 29.3% (4,363 people). This share was lower than Regional NSW (37.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 1,661 people and 10.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Snowy Valleys (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Snowy Valleys (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Snowy Valleys (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
4,363
% of total
29.3%
Change from 2016
+10.5pp
4,363
29.3%
+10.5pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
3,545
% of total
23.8%
Change from 2016
-5.6pp
3,545
23.8%
-5.6pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
3,498
% of total
23.5%
Change from 2016
-2.7pp
3,498
23.5%
-2.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,479
% of total
9.9%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
1,479
9.9%
-1.9pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
425
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
425
2.9%
-0.6pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
381
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
381
2.6%
-0.6pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
274
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
274
1.8%
0.0pp
Baptist
2021 count
171
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
171
1.1%
0.0pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
114
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
114
0.8%
0.0pp
Buddhism
2021 count
93
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
93
0.6%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+1,661
+10.5pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-673
-5.6pp
Western Catholic
-265
-2.7pp
Not stated
-218
-1.9pp
Presbyterian
-74
-0.6pp
Uniting Church
-73
-0.6pp
Christianity, nfd
+17
0.0pp
Baptist
+19
0.0pp
Pentecostal, nfd
-3
0.0pp
Buddhism
+26
+0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Snowy Valleys (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 | 4,363 | 29.3% | 37.4% | 2,702 | 18.8% | 26.0% | +1,661 | +10.5pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 3,545 | 23.8% | 17.0% | 4,218 | 29.4% | 21.9% | -673 | -5.6pp |
| Western Catholic | 3,498 | 23.5% | 21.0% | 3,763 | 26.2% | 23.8% | -265 | -2.7pp |
| Not stated | 1,479 | 9.9% | 7.7% | 1,697 | 11.8% | 9.3% | -218 | -1.9pp |
| Presbyterian | 425 | 2.9% | 2.6% | 499 | 3.5% | 3.5% | -74 | -0.6pp |
| Uniting Church | 381 | 2.6% | 3.3% | 454 | 3.2% | 4.5% | -73 | -0.6pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 274 | 1.8% | 2.2% | 257 | 1.8% | 2.2% | +17 | 0.0pp |
| Baptist | 171 | 1.1% | 1.2% | 152 | 1.1% | 1.3% | +19 | 0.0pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 114 | 0.8% | 0.7% | 117 | 0.8% | 0.8% | -3 | 0.0pp |
| Buddhism | 93 | 0.6% | 0.8% | 67 | 0.5% | 0.8% | +26 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 14,884 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 14,367 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +517 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.