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 (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
No Religion, so described
Hinduism
Islam
Anglican Church of Australia
Not stated
Sikhism
Christianity, nfd
Buddhism
Pentecostal, nfd
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.