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, No religion was the most common religious affiliation among residents in Whalan, accounting for 27% (1,602 people). This share was higher than Blacktown (C) (18.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 337 people and 5.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Whalan - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Whalan in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Blacktown (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Whalan, with comparison markers for Blacktown (C).
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Not stated
Anglican Church of Australia
Islam
Christianity, nfd
Hinduism
Presbyterian
Uniting Church
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+337
+5.8pp
Western Catholic
-222
-3.5pp
Not stated
+73
+1.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-273
-4.5pp
Islam
+123
+2.1pp
Christianity, nfd
+37
+0.6pp
Hinduism
-7
-0.1pp
Presbyterian
-1
0.0pp
Uniting Church
-2
0.0pp
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
-40
-0.7pp
Data table
Religion for Whalan. 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 | |
| No Religion, so described | 1,602 | 27.0% | 18.1% | 1,265 | 21.2% | 15.0% | +337 | +5.8pp |
| Western Catholic | 1,255 | 21.2% | 24.0% | 1,477 | 24.7% | 28.5% | -222 | -3.5pp |
| Not stated | 701 | 11.8% | 6.7% | 628 | 10.5% | 7.3% | +73 | +1.3pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 622 | 10.5% | 7.3% | 895 | 15.0% | 10.6% | -273 | -4.5pp |
| Islam | 479 | 8.1% | 8.0% | 356 | 6.0% | 6.7% | +123 | +2.1pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 227 | 3.8% | 3.4% | 190 | 3.2% | 3.2% | +37 | +0.6pp |
| Hinduism | 123 | 2.1% | 13.1% | 130 | 2.2% | 8.5% | -7 | -0.1pp |
| Presbyterian | 119 | 2.0% | 1.3% | 120 | 2.0% | 1.7% | -1 | 0.0pp |
| Uniting Church | 100 | 1.7% | 1.3% | 102 | 1.7% | 1.9% | -2 | 0.0pp |
| The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints | 73 | 1.2% | 0.6% | 113 | 1.9% | 0.7% | -40 | -0.7pp |
| Total | 5,929 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,969 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -40 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.