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.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Upper Hunter Shire (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
4,255
% of total
30.0%
Change from 2016
-5.0pp
4,255
30.0%
-5.0pp
No Religion, so described
2021 count
4,092
% of total
28.8%
Change from 2016
+12.1pp
4,092
28.8%
+12.1pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
3,246
% of total
22.8%
Change from 2016
-3.0pp
3,246
22.8%
-3.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,038
% of total
7.3%
Change from 2016
-2.9pp
1,038
7.3%
-2.9pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
521
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
521
3.7%
-0.7pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
309
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
309
2.2%
-0.6pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
164
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
164
1.2%
+0.1pp
Baptist
2021 count
113
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
113
0.8%
0.0pp
Buddhism
2021 count
64
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
64
0.5%
0.0pp
Hinduism
2021 count
61
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
61
0.4%
+0.1pp
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.