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 Canada Bay (A), accounting for 32.7% (29,123 people). This share was higher than Greater Sydney (22.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 3,708 people and 3.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Canada Bay (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Canada Bay (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Sydney and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Canada Bay (A), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
Western Catholic
2021 count
29,123
% of total
32.7%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
29,123
32.7%
-0.5pp
No Religion, so described
2021 count
28,128
% of total
31.5%
Change from 2016
+3.8pp
28,128
31.5%
+3.8pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
5,667
% of total
6.4%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
5,667
6.4%
-1.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
4,712
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
-3.1pp
4,712
5.3%
-3.1pp
Hinduism
2021 count
3,338
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
3,338
3.7%
+0.8pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
3,189
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
3,189
3.6%
+0.1pp
Buddhism
2021 count
2,874
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
2,874
3.2%
+0.1pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
2,029
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
2,029
2.3%
-0.5pp
Islam
2021 count
1,792
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
1,792
2.0%
+0.4pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
1,612
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
1,612
1.8%
+0.3pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Western Catholic
-88
-0.5pp
No Religion, so described
+3,708
+3.8pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-1,248
-1.5pp
Not stated
-2,645
-3.1pp
Hinduism
+797
+0.8pp
Greek Orthodox
+144
+0.1pp
Buddhism
+143
+0.1pp
Presbyterian
-424
-0.5pp
Islam
+357
+0.4pp
Christianity, nfd
+317
+0.3pp
Data table
Religion for Canada Bay (A). 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 | 29,123 | 32.7% | 22.1% | 29,211 | 33.2% | 24.2% | -88 | -0.5pp |
| No Religion, so described | 28,128 | 31.5% | 30.3% | 24,420 | 27.7% | 24.6% | +3,708 | +3.8pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 5,667 | 6.4% | 9.2% | 6,915 | 7.9% | 12.0% | -1,248 | -1.5pp |
| Not stated | 4,712 | 5.3% | 6.2% | 7,357 | 8.4% | 8.5% | -2,645 | -3.1pp |
| Hinduism | 3,338 | 3.7% | 4.8% | 2,541 | 2.9% | 3.5% | +797 | +0.8pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 3,189 | 3.6% | 2.3% | 3,045 | 3.5% | 2.4% | +144 | +0.1pp |
| Buddhism | 2,874 | 3.2% | 3.8% | 2,731 | 3.1% | 3.9% | +143 | +0.1pp |
| Presbyterian | 2,029 | 2.3% | 1.5% | 2,453 | 2.8% | 1.9% | -424 | -0.5pp |
| Islam | 1,792 | 2.0% | 6.3% | 1,435 | 1.6% | 5.3% | +357 | +0.4pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 1,612 | 1.8% | 2.5% | 1,295 | 1.5% | 2.2% | +317 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 89,194 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 88,010 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,184 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.