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, 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
2021 count
87,423
% of total
23.6%
Change from 2016
+2.8pp
87,423
23.6%
+2.8pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
67,293
% of total
18.1%
Change from 2016
-2.3pp
67,293
18.1%
-2.3pp
No Religion, so described
2021 count
64,750
% of total
17.5%
Change from 2016
+2.5pp
64,750
17.5%
+2.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
29,649
% of total
8.0%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
29,649
8.0%
-0.4pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
24,397
% of total
6.6%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
24,397
6.6%
-0.5pp
Buddhism
2021 count
22,461
% of total
6.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
22,461
6.1%
0.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
14,836
% of total
4.0%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
14,836
4.0%
-1.7pp
Maronite Catholic
2021 count
11,588
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
11,588
3.1%
+0.3pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
8,484
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
8,484
2.3%
+0.1pp
Hinduism
2021 count
7,892
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
7,892
2.1%
+0.2pp
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.