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, Anglican Church of Australia was the most common religious affiliation among residents in Upper Hunter Shire (A), accounting for 30% (4,255 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (17%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 1,738 people and 12.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Upper Hunter Shire (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Upper Hunter Shire (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Upper Hunter Shire (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
Anglican Church of Australia
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Not stated
Uniting Church
Presbyterian
Christianity, nfd
Baptist
Buddhism
Hinduism
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Anglican Church of Australia
-691
-5.0pp
No Religion, so described
+1,738
+12.1pp
Western Catholic
-400
-3.0pp
Not stated
-409
-2.9pp
Uniting Church
-104
-0.7pp
Presbyterian
-85
-0.6pp
Christianity, nfd
+4
+0.1pp
Baptist
+3
0.0pp
Buddhism
-7
0.0pp
Hinduism
+23
+0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Upper Hunter Shire (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 | |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 4,255 | 30.0% | 17.0% | 4,946 | 35.0% | 21.9% | -691 | -5.0pp |
| No Religion, so described | 4,092 | 28.8% | 37.4% | 2,354 | 16.7% | 26.0% | +1,738 | +12.1pp |
| Western Catholic | 3,246 | 22.8% | 21.0% | 3,646 | 25.8% | 23.8% | -400 | -3.0pp |
| Not stated | 1,038 | 7.3% | 7.7% | 1,447 | 10.2% | 9.3% | -409 | -2.9pp |
| Uniting Church | 521 | 3.7% | 3.3% | 625 | 4.4% | 4.5% | -104 | -0.7pp |
| Presbyterian | 309 | 2.2% | 2.6% | 394 | 2.8% | 3.5% | -85 | -0.6pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 164 | 1.2% | 2.2% | 160 | 1.1% | 2.2% | +4 | +0.1pp |
| Baptist | 113 | 0.8% | 1.2% | 110 | 0.8% | 1.3% | +3 | 0.0pp |
| Buddhism | 64 | 0.5% | 0.8% | 71 | 0.5% | 0.8% | -7 | 0.0pp |
| Hinduism | 61 | 0.4% | 0.7% | 38 | 0.3% | 0.4% | +23 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 14,206 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 14,130 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +76 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.