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 Lightning Ridge, accounting for 36% (702 people). This share was higher than Walgett (A) (29.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Anglican Church of Australia, which decreased by 241 people and 8.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Lightning Ridge - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Lightning Ridge in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Walgett (A) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Lightning Ridge, with comparison markers for Walgett (A).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
702
% of total
36.0%
Change from 2016
+6.3pp
702
36.0%
+6.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
423
% of total
21.7%
Change from 2016
+7.8pp
423
21.7%
+7.8pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
294
% of total
15.1%
Change from 2016
-3.9pp
294
15.1%
-3.9pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
269
% of total
13.8%
Change from 2016
-8.6pp
269
13.8%
-8.6pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
38
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
38
1.9%
-0.5pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
27
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
27
1.4%
-0.6pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
24
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
24
1.2%
-0.2pp
Serbian Orthodox
2021 count
24
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
24
1.2%
+0.1pp
Buddhism
2021 count
18
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
18
0.9%
+0.2pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
18
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
18
0.9%
-1.0pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+28
+6.3pp
Not stated
+107
+7.8pp
Western Catholic
-137
-3.9pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-241
-8.6pp
Christianity, nfd
-17
-0.5pp
Presbyterian
-18
-0.6pp
Greek Orthodox
-8
-0.2pp
Serbian Orthodox
0
+0.1pp
Buddhism
+3
+0.2pp
Uniting Church
-25
-1.0pp
Data table
Religion for Lightning Ridge. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Walgett (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Walgett (A)% | Count | % | Walgett (A)% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 702 | 36.0% | 29.3% | 674 | 29.7% | 23.6% | +28 | +6.3pp |
| Not stated | 423 | 21.7% | 26.9% | 316 | 13.9% | 13.7% | +107 | +7.8pp |
| Western Catholic | 294 | 15.1% | 17.3% | 431 | 19.0% | 23.3% | -137 | -3.9pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 269 | 13.8% | 16.4% | 510 | 22.4% | 27.4% | -241 | -8.6pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 38 | 1.9% | 1.0% | 55 | 2.4% | 1.4% | -17 | -0.5pp |
| Presbyterian | 27 | 1.4% | 3.3% | 45 | 2.0% | 3.4% | -18 | -0.6pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 24 | 1.2% | 0.4% | 32 | 1.4% | 0.6% | -8 | -0.2pp |
| Serbian Orthodox | 24 | 1.2% | 0.5% | 24 | 1.1% | 0.4% | 0 | +0.1pp |
| Buddhism | 18 | 0.9% | 0.4% | 15 | 0.7% | 0.3% | +3 | +0.2pp |
| Uniting Church | 18 | 0.9% | 1.0% | 43 | 1.9% | 1.6% | -25 | -1.0pp |
| Total | 1,949 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,273 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -324 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.