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 Tamworth Regional (A), accounting for 31.1% (19,634 people). This share was lower than Regional NSW (37.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 8,088 people and 11.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Tamworth Regional (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Tamworth Regional (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Tamworth Regional (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
19,634
% of total
31.1%
Change from 2016
+11.7pp
19,634
31.1%
+11.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
15,156
% of total
24.0%
Change from 2016
-6.0pp
15,156
24.0%
-6.0pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
13,724
% of total
21.8%
Change from 2016
-2.6pp
13,724
21.8%
-2.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
4,936
% of total
7.8%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
4,936
7.8%
-1.5pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
2,153
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
2,153
3.4%
-1.0pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
1,753
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
1,753
2.8%
-1.1pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
1,374
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
1,374
2.2%
+0.4pp
Baptist
2021 count
569
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
569
0.9%
-0.2pp
Hinduism
2021 count
526
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
526
0.8%
+0.4pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
477
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
477
0.8%
-0.3pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+8,088
+11.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-2,753
-6.0pp
Western Catholic
-844
-2.6pp
Not stated
-596
-1.5pp
Uniting Church
-458
-1.0pp
Presbyterian
-554
-1.1pp
Christianity, nfd
+281
+0.4pp
Baptist
-80
-0.2pp
Hinduism
+296
+0.4pp
Pentecostal, nfd
-157
-0.3pp
Data table
Religion for Tamworth 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 | 19,634 | 31.1% | 37.4% | 11,546 | 19.4% | 26.0% | +8,088 | +11.7pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 15,156 | 24.0% | 17.0% | 17,909 | 30.0% | 21.9% | -2,753 | -6.0pp |
| Western Catholic | 13,724 | 21.8% | 21.0% | 14,568 | 24.4% | 23.8% | -844 | -2.6pp |
| Not stated | 4,936 | 7.8% | 7.7% | 5,532 | 9.3% | 9.3% | -596 | -1.5pp |
| Uniting Church | 2,153 | 3.4% | 3.3% | 2,611 | 4.4% | 4.5% | -458 | -1.0pp |
| Presbyterian | 1,753 | 2.8% | 2.6% | 2,307 | 3.9% | 3.5% | -554 | -1.1pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 1,374 | 2.2% | 2.2% | 1,093 | 1.8% | 2.2% | +281 | +0.4pp |
| Baptist | 569 | 0.9% | 1.2% | 649 | 1.1% | 1.3% | -80 | -0.2pp |
| Hinduism | 526 | 0.8% | 0.7% | 230 | 0.4% | 0.4% | +296 | +0.4pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 477 | 0.8% | 0.7% | 634 | 1.1% | 0.8% | -157 | -0.3pp |
| Total | 63,049 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 59,645 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +3,404 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.