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, Western Catholic was the most common religious affiliation among residents in Blacktown, accounting for 21% (10,679 people). This share was lower than Blacktown (C) (24%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 1,915 people and 2.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Blacktown - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Blacktown in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Blacktown (C) and change since 2016.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Blacktown, with comparison markers for Blacktown (C).
Western Catholic
No Religion, so described
Hinduism
Sikhism
Islam
Not stated
Anglican Church of Australia
Christianity, nfd
Buddhism
Greek Orthodox
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Western Catholic
-968
-3.7pp
No Religion, so described
+1,915
+2.8pp
Hinduism
+1,543
+2.2pp
Sikhism
+1,469
+2.4pp
Islam
+366
+0.1pp
Not stated
+403
+0.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-967
-2.6pp
Christianity, nfd
+334
+0.4pp
Buddhism
+108
+0.1pp
Greek Orthodox
-38
-0.2pp
Data table
Religion for Blacktown. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Blacktown (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Blacktown (C)% | Count | % | Blacktown (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Western Catholic | 10,679 | 21.0% | 24.0% | 11,647 | 24.7% | 28.5% | -968 | -3.7pp |
| No Religion, so described | 8,543 | 16.8% | 18.1% | 6,628 | 14.0% | 15.0% | +1,915 | +2.8pp |
| Hinduism | 7,367 | 14.5% | 13.1% | 5,824 | 12.3% | 8.5% | +1,543 | +2.2pp |
| Sikhism | 4,446 | 8.7% | 4.6% | 2,977 | 6.3% | 3.4% | +1,469 | +2.4pp |
| Islam | 3,847 | 7.5% | 8.0% | 3,481 | 7.4% | 6.7% | +366 | +0.1pp |
| Not stated | 3,834 | 7.5% | 6.7% | 3,431 | 7.3% | 7.3% | +403 | +0.2pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 3,073 | 6.0% | 7.3% | 4,040 | 8.6% | 10.6% | -967 | -2.6pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 1,703 | 3.3% | 3.4% | 1,369 | 2.9% | 3.2% | +334 | +0.4pp |
| Buddhism | 954 | 1.9% | 1.9% | 846 | 1.8% | 1.7% | +108 | +0.1pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 734 | 1.4% | 1.0% | 772 | 1.6% | 1.2% | -38 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 50,957 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 47,181 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +3,776 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.