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 Yass Valley (A), accounting for 40.4% (6,984 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (37.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 2,381 people and 11.9 percentage points.

Section overview

Religion - Ranked by size

Yass Valley (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises religion for Yass Valley (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.

Religion - Ranked by size snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Yass Valley (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.

Yass Valley (A)
Regional NSW

No Religion, so described

2021 count

6,984

% of total

40.4%

Change from 2016

+11.9pp

Western Catholic

2021 count

4,092

% of total

23.7%

Change from 2016

-2.5pp

Anglican Church of Australia

2021 count

2,834

% of total

16.4%

Change from 2016

-5.4pp

Not stated

2021 count

1,066

% of total

6.2%

Change from 2016

-2.6pp

Uniting Church

2021 count

565

% of total

3.3%

Change from 2016

-0.9pp

Christianity, nfd

2021 count

338

% of total

2.0%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Presbyterian

2021 count

284

% of total

1.6%

Change from 2016

-0.6pp

Baptist

2021 count

190

% of total

1.1%

Change from 2016

-0.2pp

Pentecostal, nfd

2021 count

110

% of total

0.6%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Buddhism

2021 count

92

% of total

0.5%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Data table

Religion for Yass Valley (A). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NSW.

Religion for Yass Valley (A). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NSW.
Religion for Yass Valley (A). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NSW.
Category20212016Change
Count%Regional NSW%Count%Regional NSW%Countpp
No Religion, so described6,98440.4%37.4%4,60328.5%26.0%+2,381+11.9pp
Western Catholic4,09223.7%21.0%4,23226.2%23.8%-140-2.5pp
Anglican Church of Australia2,83416.4%17.0%3,51621.8%21.9%-682-5.4pp
Not stated1,0666.2%7.7%1,4268.8%9.3%-360-2.6pp
Uniting Church5653.3%3.3%6774.2%4.5%-112-0.9pp
Christianity, nfd3382.0%2.2%3322.1%2.2%+6-0.1pp
Presbyterian2841.6%2.6%3512.2%3.5%-67-0.6pp
Baptist1901.1%1.2%2101.3%1.3%-20-0.2pp
Pentecostal, nfd1100.6%0.7%920.6%0.8%+180.0pp
Buddhism920.5%0.8%800.5%0.8%+120.0pp
Total17,302100.0%100.0%16,139100.0%100.0%+1,1630.0pp

Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.