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 Tweed (A), accounting for 41.3% (40,257 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (37.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 13,253 people and 11.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Tweed (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Tweed (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Tweed (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
40,257
% of total
41.3%
Change from 2016
+11.8pp
40,257
41.3%
+11.8pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
19,080
% of total
19.6%
Change from 2016
-2.7pp
19,080
19.6%
-2.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
14,285
% of total
14.7%
Change from 2016
-5.0pp
14,285
14.7%
-5.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
8,426
% of total
8.7%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
8,426
8.7%
-0.9pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
2,616
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
2,616
2.7%
-1.2pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
2,417
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
2,417
2.5%
-1.0pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
2,092
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
2,092
2.1%
-0.3pp
Buddhism
2021 count
981
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
981
1.0%
-0.1pp
Baptist
2021 count
825
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
825
0.8%
-0.1pp
Jehovah's Witnesses
2021 count
770
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
770
0.8%
0.0pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+13,253
+11.8pp
Western Catholic
-1,306
-2.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-3,693
-5.0pp
Not stated
-350
-0.9pp
Presbyterian
-908
-1.2pp
Uniting Church
-792
-1.0pp
Christianity, nfd
-105
-0.3pp
Buddhism
-64
-0.1pp
Baptist
-26
-0.1pp
Jehovah's Witnesses
-5
0.0pp
Data table
Religion for Tweed (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 | 40,257 | 41.3% | 37.4% | 27,004 | 29.5% | 26.0% | +13,253 | +11.8pp |
| Western Catholic | 19,080 | 19.6% | 21.0% | 20,386 | 22.3% | 23.8% | -1,306 | -2.7pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 14,285 | 14.7% | 17.0% | 17,978 | 19.7% | 21.9% | -3,693 | -5.0pp |
| Not stated | 8,426 | 8.7% | 7.7% | 8,776 | 9.6% | 9.3% | -350 | -0.9pp |
| Presbyterian | 2,616 | 2.7% | 2.6% | 3,524 | 3.9% | 3.5% | -908 | -1.2pp |
| Uniting Church | 2,417 | 2.5% | 3.3% | 3,209 | 3.5% | 4.5% | -792 | -1.0pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 2,092 | 2.1% | 2.2% | 2,197 | 2.4% | 2.2% | -105 | -0.3pp |
| Buddhism | 981 | 1.0% | 0.8% | 1,045 | 1.1% | 0.8% | -64 | -0.1pp |
| Baptist | 825 | 0.8% | 1.2% | 851 | 0.9% | 1.3% | -26 | -0.1pp |
| Jehovah's Witnesses | 770 | 0.8% | 0.4% | 775 | 0.8% | 0.4% | -5 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 97,391 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 91,393 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +5,998 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.