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, No religion was the most common religious affiliation among residents in Blue Mountains (C), accounting for 46.5% (36,340 people). This share was higher than Greater Sydney (30.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 8,852 people and 10.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Blue Mountains (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Blue Mountains (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Sydney and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Blue Mountains (C), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Anglican Church of Australia
Not stated
Christianity, nfd
Uniting Church
Presbyterian
Baptist
Buddhism
Pentecostal, nfd
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+8,852
+10.7pp
Western Catholic
-1,730
-2.5pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-2,514
-3.5pp
Not stated
-2,182
-2.9pp
Christianity, nfd
+5
-0.1pp
Uniting Church
-478
-0.7pp
Presbyterian
-350
-0.4pp
Baptist
-392
-0.6pp
Buddhism
+69
+0.1pp
Pentecostal, nfd
-82
-0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Blue Mountains (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 | |
| No Religion, so described | 36,340 | 46.5% | 30.3% | 27,488 | 35.8% | 24.6% | +8,852 | +10.7pp |
| Western Catholic | 13,409 | 17.2% | 22.1% | 15,139 | 19.7% | 24.2% | -1,730 | -2.5pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 10,583 | 13.5% | 9.2% | 13,097 | 17.0% | 12.0% | -2,514 | -3.5pp |
| Not stated | 3,805 | 4.9% | 6.2% | 5,987 | 7.8% | 8.5% | -2,182 | -2.9pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 2,273 | 2.9% | 2.5% | 2,268 | 3.0% | 2.2% | +5 | -0.1pp |
| Uniting Church | 1,751 | 2.2% | 1.5% | 2,229 | 2.9% | 2.0% | -478 | -0.7pp |
| Presbyterian | 1,684 | 2.2% | 1.5% | 2,034 | 2.6% | 1.9% | -350 | -0.4pp |
| Baptist | 1,663 | 2.1% | 1.2% | 2,055 | 2.7% | 1.2% | -392 | -0.6pp |
| Buddhism | 1,089 | 1.4% | 3.8% | 1,020 | 1.3% | 3.9% | +69 | +0.1pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 720 | 0.9% | 0.8% | 802 | 1.0% | 1.0% | -82 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 78,145 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 76,850 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,295 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.