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 Upper Lachlan Shire (A), accounting for 28.4% (2,412 people). This share was lower than Regional NSW (37.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 1,037 people and 10.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Upper Lachlan Shire (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Upper Lachlan 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 Lachlan Shire (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
2,412
% of total
28.4%
Change from 2016
+10.5pp
2,412
28.4%
+10.5pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
2,347
% of total
27.6%
Change from 2016
-3.4pp
2,347
27.6%
-3.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
1,901
% of total
22.4%
Change from 2016
-6.2pp
1,901
22.4%
-6.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
827
% of total
9.7%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
827
9.7%
+0.3pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
409
% of total
4.8%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
409
4.8%
-0.8pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
156
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
156
1.8%
-0.7pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
91
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
91
1.1%
+0.1pp
Baptist
2021 count
46
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
46
0.5%
-0.2pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
34
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
34
0.4%
+0.2pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
33
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
33
0.4%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+1,037
+10.5pp
Western Catholic
-43
-3.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-305
-6.2pp
Not stated
+105
+0.3pp
Uniting Church
-19
-0.8pp
Presbyterian
-34
-0.7pp
Christianity, nfd
+15
+0.1pp
Baptist
-6
-0.2pp
Greek Orthodox
+15
+0.2pp
Pentecostal, nfd
+18
+0.2pp
Data table
Religion for Upper Lachlan 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 | |
| No Religion, so described | 2,412 | 28.4% | 37.4% | 1,375 | 17.9% | 26.0% | +1,037 | +10.5pp |
| Western Catholic | 2,347 | 27.6% | 21.0% | 2,390 | 31.0% | 23.8% | -43 | -3.4pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 1,901 | 22.4% | 17.0% | 2,206 | 28.6% | 21.9% | -305 | -6.2pp |
| Not stated | 827 | 9.7% | 7.7% | 722 | 9.4% | 9.3% | +105 | +0.3pp |
| Uniting Church | 409 | 4.8% | 3.3% | 428 | 5.6% | 4.5% | -19 | -0.8pp |
| Presbyterian | 156 | 1.8% | 2.6% | 190 | 2.5% | 3.5% | -34 | -0.7pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 91 | 1.1% | 2.2% | 76 | 1.0% | 2.2% | +15 | +0.1pp |
| Baptist | 46 | 0.5% | 1.2% | 52 | 0.7% | 1.3% | -6 | -0.2pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 34 | 0.4% | 0.4% | 19 | 0.2% | 0.4% | +15 | +0.2pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 33 | 0.4% | 0.7% | 15 | 0.2% | 0.8% | +18 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 8,498 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 7,702 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +796 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.