Cultural diversity
Religion
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.
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
Not stated
Western Catholic
Anglican Church of Australia
Christianity, nfd
Presbyterian
Greek Orthodox
Serbian Orthodox
Buddhism
Uniting Church
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.