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, Islam was the most common religious affiliation among residents in Canterbury-Bankstown (A), accounting for 23.6% (87,423 people). This share was higher than Greater Sydney (6.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Islam, which increased by 15,531 people and 2.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Canterbury-Bankstown (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Canterbury-Bankstown (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Sydney and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Canterbury-Bankstown (A), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
Islam
Western Catholic
No Religion, so described
Not stated
Greek Orthodox
Buddhism
Anglican Church of Australia
Maronite Catholic
Christianity, nfd
Hinduism
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Islam
+15,531
+2.8pp
Western Catholic
-3,346
-2.3pp
No Religion, so described
+12,952
+2.5pp
Not stated
+639
-0.4pp
Greek Orthodox
-48
-0.5pp
Buddhism
+1,245
0.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-4,743
-1.7pp
Maronite Catholic
+1,839
+0.3pp
Christianity, nfd
+1,035
+0.1pp
Hinduism
+1,314
+0.2pp
Data table
Religion for Canterbury-Bankstown (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 | |
| Islam | 87,423 | 23.6% | 6.3% | 71,892 | 20.8% | 5.3% | +15,531 | +2.8pp |
| Western Catholic | 67,293 | 18.1% | 22.1% | 70,639 | 20.4% | 24.2% | -3,346 | -2.3pp |
| No Religion, so described | 64,750 | 17.5% | 30.3% | 51,798 | 15.0% | 24.6% | +12,952 | +2.5pp |
| Not stated | 29,649 | 8.0% | 6.2% | 29,010 | 8.4% | 8.5% | +639 | -0.4pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 24,397 | 6.6% | 2.3% | 24,445 | 7.1% | 2.4% | -48 | -0.5pp |
| Buddhism | 22,461 | 6.1% | 3.8% | 21,216 | 6.1% | 3.9% | +1,245 | 0.0pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 14,836 | 4.0% | 9.2% | 19,579 | 5.7% | 12.0% | -4,743 | -1.7pp |
| Maronite Catholic | 11,588 | 3.1% | 0.8% | 9,749 | 2.8% | 0.7% | +1,839 | +0.3pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 8,484 | 2.3% | 2.5% | 7,449 | 2.2% | 2.2% | +1,035 | +0.1pp |
| Hinduism | 7,892 | 2.1% | 4.8% | 6,578 | 1.9% | 3.5% | +1,314 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 371,020 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 346,327 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +24,693 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.