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 Wagga Wagga (C), accounting for 31.3% (21,186 people). This share was lower than Regional NSW (37.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 7,365 people and 9.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Wagga Wagga (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Wagga Wagga (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Wagga Wagga (C), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
21,186
% of total
31.3%
Change from 2016
+9.1pp
21,186
31.3%
+9.1pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
18,125
% of total
26.8%
Change from 2016
-3.6pp
18,125
26.8%
-3.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
10,377
% of total
15.4%
Change from 2016
-4.1pp
10,377
15.4%
-4.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
4,299
% of total
6.4%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
4,299
6.4%
-1.2pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
2,525
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
2,525
3.7%
-1.2pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
2,298
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
2,298
3.4%
-1.1pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
1,387
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
1,387
2.1%
+0.3pp
Yezidi
2021 count
838
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-
838
1.2%
-
Baptist
2021 count
801
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
801
1.2%
-0.1pp
Hinduism
2021 count
752
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
752
1.1%
+0.4pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+7,365
+9.1pp
Western Catholic
-829
-3.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-1,760
-4.1pp
Not stated
-412
-1.2pp
Presbyterian
-551
-1.2pp
Uniting Church
-516
-1.1pp
Christianity, nfd
+237
+0.3pp
Baptist
+1
-0.1pp
Hinduism
+319
+0.4pp
Islam
+97
+0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Wagga Wagga (C). 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 | 21,186 | 31.3% | 37.4% | 13,821 | 22.2% | 26.0% | +7,365 | +9.1pp |
| Western Catholic | 18,125 | 26.8% | 21.0% | 18,954 | 30.4% | 23.8% | -829 | -3.6pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 10,377 | 15.4% | 17.0% | 12,137 | 19.5% | 21.9% | -1,760 | -4.1pp |
| Not stated | 4,299 | 6.4% | 7.7% | 4,711 | 7.6% | 9.3% | -412 | -1.2pp |
| Presbyterian | 2,525 | 3.7% | 2.6% | 3,076 | 4.9% | 3.5% | -551 | -1.2pp |
| Uniting Church | 2,298 | 3.4% | 3.3% | 2,814 | 4.5% | 4.5% | -516 | -1.1pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 1,387 | 2.1% | 2.2% | 1,150 | 1.8% | 2.2% | +237 | +0.3pp |
| Yezidi | 838 | 1.2% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Baptist | 801 | 1.2% | 1.2% | 800 | 1.3% | 1.3% | +1 | -0.1pp |
| Hinduism | 752 | 1.1% | 0.7% | 433 | 0.7% | 0.4% | +319 | +0.4pp |
| Total | 67,600 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 62,391 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +5,209 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.