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 Bowral, accounting for 33.5% (3,604 people). This share was lower than Wingecarribee (A) (36.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 1,074 people and 9 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Bowral - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Bowral in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Wingecarribee (A) and change since 2016.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Bowral, with comparison markers for Wingecarribee (A).
No Religion, so described
Anglican Church of Australia
Western Catholic
Not stated
Uniting Church
Presbyterian
Christianity, nfd
Hinduism
Baptist
Buddhism
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+1,074
+9.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-275
-3.6pp
Western Catholic
-105
-1.8pp
Not stated
-326
-3.3pp
Uniting Church
-27
-0.4pp
Presbyterian
-27
-0.3pp
Christianity, nfd
+64
+0.5pp
Hinduism
+28
+0.2pp
Baptist
-23
-0.3pp
Buddhism
+8
0.0pp
Data table
Religion for Bowral. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Wingecarribee (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Wingecarribee (A)% | Count | % | Wingecarribee (A)% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 3,604 | 33.5% | 36.4% | 2,530 | 24.5% | 26.0% | +1,074 | +9.0pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 2,323 | 21.6% | 20.4% | 2,598 | 25.2% | 25.6% | -275 | -3.6pp |
| Western Catholic | 2,264 | 21.1% | 20.3% | 2,369 | 22.9% | 22.2% | -105 | -1.8pp |
| Not stated | 567 | 5.3% | 6.3% | 893 | 8.6% | 8.7% | -326 | -3.3pp |
| Uniting Church | 419 | 3.9% | 2.9% | 446 | 4.3% | 3.9% | -27 | -0.4pp |
| Presbyterian | 307 | 2.9% | 2.3% | 334 | 3.2% | 3.1% | -27 | -0.3pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 294 | 2.7% | 2.5% | 230 | 2.2% | 2.5% | +64 | +0.5pp |
| Hinduism | 141 | 1.3% | 1.3% | 113 | 1.1% | 0.7% | +28 | +0.2pp |
| Baptist | 102 | 0.9% | 1.0% | 125 | 1.2% | 1.1% | -23 | -0.3pp |
| Buddhism | 100 | 0.9% | 0.9% | 92 | 0.9% | 0.9% | +8 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 10,754 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 10,324 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +430 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.