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 Wollongong (C), accounting for 38.2% (81,996 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (37.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 25,383 people and 10.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Wollongong (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Wollongong (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Wollongong (C), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
81,996
% of total
38.2%
Change from 2016
+10.4pp
81,996
38.2%
+10.4pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
48,523
% of total
22.6%
Change from 2016
-2.8pp
48,523
22.6%
-2.8pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
27,153
% of total
12.7%
Change from 2016
-3.9pp
27,153
12.7%
-3.9pp
Not stated
2021 count
11,538
% of total
5.4%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
11,538
5.4%
-2.0pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
6,113
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
6,113
2.8%
-0.1pp
Islam
2021 count
5,604
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
5,604
2.6%
+0.3pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
5,168
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
5,168
2.4%
-1.0pp
Macedonian Orthodox
2021 count
4,156
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
4,156
1.9%
0.0pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
3,503
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
3,503
1.6%
-0.7pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
3,366
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
3,366
1.6%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+25,383
+10.4pp
Western Catholic
-3,276
-2.8pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-6,710
-3.9pp
Not stated
-3,467
-2.0pp
Christianity, nfd
+232
-0.1pp
Islam
+996
+0.3pp
Uniting Church
-1,852
-1.0pp
Macedonian Orthodox
+200
0.0pp
Presbyterian
-1,249
-0.7pp
Greek Orthodox
-7
-0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Wollongong (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 | 81,996 | 38.2% | 37.4% | 56,613 | 27.8% | 26.0% | +25,383 | +10.4pp |
| Western Catholic | 48,523 | 22.6% | 21.0% | 51,799 | 25.4% | 23.8% | -3,276 | -2.8pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 27,153 | 12.7% | 17.0% | 33,863 | 16.6% | 21.9% | -6,710 | -3.9pp |
| Not stated | 11,538 | 5.4% | 7.7% | 15,005 | 7.4% | 9.3% | -3,467 | -2.0pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 6,113 | 2.8% | 2.2% | 5,881 | 2.9% | 2.2% | +232 | -0.1pp |
| Islam | 5,604 | 2.6% | 0.7% | 4,608 | 2.3% | 0.5% | +996 | +0.3pp |
| Uniting Church | 5,168 | 2.4% | 3.3% | 7,020 | 3.4% | 4.5% | -1,852 | -1.0pp |
| Macedonian Orthodox | 4,156 | 1.9% | 0.3% | 3,956 | 1.9% | 0.3% | +200 | 0.0pp |
| Presbyterian | 3,503 | 1.6% | 2.6% | 4,752 | 2.3% | 3.5% | -1,249 | -0.7pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 3,366 | 1.6% | 0.4% | 3,373 | 1.7% | 0.4% | -7 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 214,546 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 203,599 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +10,947 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.