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 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.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Wollongong (C), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Anglican Church of Australia
Not stated
Christianity, nfd
Islam
Uniting Church
Macedonian Orthodox
Presbyterian
Greek Orthodox
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.