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
2021 count
36,340
% of total
46.5%
Change from 2016
+10.7pp
36,340
46.5%
+10.7pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
13,409
% of total
17.2%
Change from 2016
-2.5pp
13,409
17.2%
-2.5pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
10,583
% of total
13.5%
Change from 2016
-3.5pp
10,583
13.5%
-3.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
3,805
% of total
4.9%
Change from 2016
-2.9pp
3,805
4.9%
-2.9pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
2,273
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
2,273
2.9%
-0.1pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
1,751
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
1,751
2.2%
-0.7pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
1,684
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
1,684
2.2%
-0.4pp
Baptist
2021 count
1,663
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
1,663
2.1%
-0.6pp
Buddhism
2021 count
1,089
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
1,089
1.4%
+0.1pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
720
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
720
0.9%
-0.1pp
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.