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 Doonside, accounting for 28% (3,814 people). This share was higher than Blacktown (C) (24%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 367 people and 2.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Doonside - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Doonside in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Blacktown (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Doonside, with comparison markers for Blacktown (C).
Western Catholic
2021 count
3,814
% of total
28.0%
Change from 2016
-2.9pp
3,814
28.0%
-2.9pp
No Religion, so described
2021 count
2,285
% of total
16.8%
Change from 2016
+2.5pp
2,285
16.8%
+2.5pp
Hinduism
2021 count
1,278
% of total
9.4%
Change from 2016
+2.0pp
1,278
9.4%
+2.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,116
% of total
8.2%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
1,116
8.2%
+0.9pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
1,008
% of total
7.4%
Change from 2016
-2.7pp
1,008
7.4%
-2.7pp
Islam
2021 count
926
% of total
6.8%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
926
6.8%
+1.0pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
519
% of total
3.8%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
519
3.8%
+0.3pp
Sikhism
2021 count
405
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
405
3.0%
+0.8pp
Buddhism
2021 count
235
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
235
1.7%
+0.3pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
201
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
201
1.5%
-0.6pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Western Catholic
-334
-2.9pp
No Religion, so described
+367
+2.5pp
Hinduism
+289
+2.0pp
Not stated
+133
+0.9pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-352
-2.7pp
Islam
+148
+1.0pp
Christianity, nfd
+46
+0.3pp
Sikhism
+114
+0.8pp
Buddhism
+44
+0.3pp
Uniting Church
-77
-0.6pp
Data table
Religion for Doonside. 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 | 3,814 | 28.0% | 24.0% | 4,148 | 30.9% | 28.5% | -334 | -2.9pp |
| No Religion, so described | 2,285 | 16.8% | 18.1% | 1,918 | 14.3% | 15.0% | +367 | +2.5pp |
| Hinduism | 1,278 | 9.4% | 13.1% | 989 | 7.4% | 8.5% | +289 | +2.0pp |
| Not stated | 1,116 | 8.2% | 6.7% | 983 | 7.3% | 7.3% | +133 | +0.9pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 1,008 | 7.4% | 7.3% | 1,360 | 10.1% | 10.6% | -352 | -2.7pp |
| Islam | 926 | 6.8% | 8.0% | 778 | 5.8% | 6.7% | +148 | +1.0pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 519 | 3.8% | 3.4% | 473 | 3.5% | 3.2% | +46 | +0.3pp |
| Sikhism | 405 | 3.0% | 4.6% | 291 | 2.2% | 3.4% | +114 | +0.8pp |
| Buddhism | 235 | 1.7% | 1.9% | 191 | 1.4% | 1.7% | +44 | +0.3pp |
| Uniting Church | 201 | 1.5% | 1.3% | 278 | 2.1% | 1.9% | -77 | -0.6pp |
| Total | 13,600 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 13,441 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +159 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.