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 Berala, accounting for 27.5% (2,403 people). This share was higher than Cumberland (A) (14.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 307 people and 4.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Berala - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Berala in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cumberland (A) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Berala, with comparison markers for Cumberland (A).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
2,403
% of total
27.5%
Change from 2016
+4.4pp
2,403
27.5%
+4.4pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
1,546
% of total
17.7%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
1,546
17.7%
-0.2pp
Islam
2021 count
1,300
% of total
14.9%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
1,300
14.9%
-2.1pp
Buddhism
2021 count
1,083
% of total
12.4%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
1,083
12.4%
-1.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
620
% of total
7.1%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
620
7.1%
+0.5pp
Hinduism
2021 count
321
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
321
3.7%
-0.5pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
277
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
277
3.2%
-0.2pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
264
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
264
3.0%
+0.6pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
176
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
176
2.0%
+0.1pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
162
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
162
1.9%
-0.3pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+307
+4.4pp
Western Catholic
-76
-0.2pp
Islam
-236
-2.1pp
Buddhism
-135
-1.1pp
Not stated
+19
+0.5pp
Hinduism
-56
-0.5pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-33
-0.2pp
Christianity, nfd
+49
+0.6pp
Uniting Church
+2
+0.1pp
Presbyterian
-38
-0.3pp
Data table
Religion for Berala. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Cumberland (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Cumberland (A)% | Count | % | Cumberland (A)% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 2,403 | 27.5% | 14.7% | 2,096 | 23.1% | 13.8% | +307 | +4.4pp |
| Western Catholic | 1,546 | 17.7% | 16.8% | 1,622 | 17.9% | 19.9% | -76 | -0.2pp |
| Islam | 1,300 | 14.9% | 22.8% | 1,536 | 17.0% | 21.9% | -236 | -2.1pp |
| Buddhism | 1,083 | 12.4% | 4.0% | 1,218 | 13.5% | 4.3% | -135 | -1.1pp |
| Not stated | 620 | 7.1% | 8.5% | 601 | 6.6% | 8.0% | +19 | +0.5pp |
| Hinduism | 321 | 3.7% | 13.4% | 377 | 4.2% | 10.2% | -56 | -0.5pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 277 | 3.2% | 3.2% | 310 | 3.4% | 4.6% | -33 | -0.2pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 264 | 3.0% | 2.3% | 215 | 2.4% | 2.1% | +49 | +0.6pp |
| Uniting Church | 176 | 2.0% | 1.1% | 174 | 1.9% | 1.3% | +2 | +0.1pp |
| Presbyterian | 162 | 1.9% | 1.2% | 200 | 2.2% | 1.5% | -38 | -0.3pp |
| Total | 8,741 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 9,054 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -313 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.