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, 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
Western Catholic
Islam
Buddhism
Not stated
Hinduism
Anglican Church of Australia
Christianity, nfd
Uniting Church
Presbyterian
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.