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, Western Catholic was the most common religious affiliation among residents in Blacktown (C), accounting for 24% (95,240 people). This share was higher than Greater Sydney (22.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Hinduism, which increased by 23,018 people and 4.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Blacktown (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Blacktown (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Sydney and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Blacktown (C), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
Western Catholic
2021 count
95,240
% of total
24.0%
Change from 2016
-4.5pp
95,240
24.0%
-4.5pp
No Religion, so described
2021 count
71,923
% of total
18.1%
Change from 2016
+3.1pp
71,923
18.1%
+3.1pp
Hinduism
2021 count
51,801
% of total
13.1%
Change from 2016
+4.6pp
51,801
13.1%
+4.6pp
Islam
2021 count
31,759
% of total
8.0%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
31,759
8.0%
+1.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
28,971
% of total
7.3%
Change from 2016
-3.3pp
28,971
7.3%
-3.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
26,409
% of total
6.7%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
26,409
6.7%
-0.6pp
Sikhism
2021 count
18,134
% of total
4.6%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
18,134
4.6%
+1.2pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
13,640
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
13,640
3.4%
+0.2pp
Buddhism
2021 count
7,591
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
7,591
1.9%
+0.2pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
6,340
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
6,340
1.6%
-0.3pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Western Catholic
-857
-4.5pp
No Religion, so described
+21,355
+3.1pp
Hinduism
+23,018
+4.6pp
Islam
+9,114
+1.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-6,888
-3.3pp
Not stated
+1,753
-0.6pp
Sikhism
+6,753
+1.2pp
Christianity, nfd
+2,965
+0.2pp
Buddhism
+1,862
+0.2pp
Pentecostal, nfd
-218
-0.3pp
Data table
Religion for Blacktown (C). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Sydney.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | pp | |
| Western Catholic | 95,240 | 24.0% | 22.1% | 96,097 | 28.5% | 24.2% | -857 | -4.5pp |
| No Religion, so described | 71,923 | 18.1% | 30.3% | 50,568 | 15.0% | 24.6% | +21,355 | +3.1pp |
| Hinduism | 51,801 | 13.1% | 4.8% | 28,783 | 8.5% | 3.5% | +23,018 | +4.6pp |
| Islam | 31,759 | 8.0% | 6.3% | 22,645 | 6.7% | 5.3% | +9,114 | +1.3pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 28,971 | 7.3% | 9.2% | 35,859 | 10.6% | 12.0% | -6,888 | -3.3pp |
| Not stated | 26,409 | 6.7% | 6.2% | 24,656 | 7.3% | 8.5% | +1,753 | -0.6pp |
| Sikhism | 18,134 | 4.6% | 0.7% | 11,381 | 3.4% | 0.6% | +6,753 | +1.2pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 13,640 | 3.4% | 2.5% | 10,675 | 3.2% | 2.2% | +2,965 | +0.2pp |
| Buddhism | 7,591 | 1.9% | 3.8% | 5,729 | 1.7% | 3.9% | +1,862 | +0.2pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 6,340 | 1.6% | 0.8% | 6,558 | 1.9% | 1.0% | -218 | -0.3pp |
| Total | 396,805 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 336,961 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +59,844 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.