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.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Yass Valley (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
6,984
% of total
40.4%
Change from 2016
+11.9pp
6,984
40.4%
+11.9pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
4,092
% of total
23.7%
Change from 2016
-2.5pp
4,092
23.7%
-2.5pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
2,834
% of total
16.4%
Change from 2016
-5.4pp
2,834
16.4%
-5.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,066
% of total
6.2%
Change from 2016
-2.6pp
1,066
6.2%
-2.6pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
565
% of total
3.3%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
565
3.3%
-0.9pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
338
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
338
2.0%
-0.1pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
284
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
284
1.6%
-0.6pp
Baptist
2021 count
190
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
190
1.1%
-0.2pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
110
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
110
0.6%
0.0pp
Buddhism
2021 count
92
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
92
0.5%
0.0pp
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+2,381
+11.9pp
Western Catholic
-140
-2.5pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-682
-5.4pp
Not stated
-360
-2.6pp
Uniting Church
-112
-0.9pp
Christianity, nfd
+6
-0.1pp
Presbyterian
-67
-0.6pp
Baptist
-20
-0.2pp
Pentecostal, nfd
+18
0.0pp
Buddhism
+12
0.0pp
Data table
Religion for Yass Valley (A). 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 | 6,984 | 40.4% | 37.4% | 4,603 | 28.5% | 26.0% | +2,381 | +11.9pp |
| Western Catholic | 4,092 | 23.7% | 21.0% | 4,232 | 26.2% | 23.8% | -140 | -2.5pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 2,834 | 16.4% | 17.0% | 3,516 | 21.8% | 21.9% | -682 | -5.4pp |
| Not stated | 1,066 | 6.2% | 7.7% | 1,426 | 8.8% | 9.3% | -360 | -2.6pp |
| Uniting Church | 565 | 3.3% | 3.3% | 677 | 4.2% | 4.5% | -112 | -0.9pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 338 | 2.0% | 2.2% | 332 | 2.1% | 2.2% | +6 | -0.1pp |
| Presbyterian | 284 | 1.6% | 2.6% | 351 | 2.2% | 3.5% | -67 | -0.6pp |
| Baptist | 190 | 1.1% | 1.2% | 210 | 1.3% | 1.3% | -20 | -0.2pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 110 | 0.6% | 0.7% | 92 | 0.6% | 0.8% | +18 | 0.0pp |
| Buddhism | 92 | 0.5% | 0.8% | 80 | 0.5% | 0.8% | +12 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 17,302 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 16,139 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,163 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.