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 Cumberland (A), accounting for 22.8% (53,608 people). This share was higher than Greater Sydney (6.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Hinduism, which increased by 9,638 people and 3.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Cumberland (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Cumberland (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Sydney and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Cumberland (A), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
Islam
2021 count
53,608
% of total
22.8%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
53,608
22.8%
+0.9pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
39,643
% of total
16.8%
Change from 2016
-3.1pp
39,643
16.8%
-3.1pp
No Religion, so described
2021 count
34,591
% of total
14.7%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
34,591
14.7%
+0.9pp
Hinduism
2021 count
31,662
% of total
13.4%
Change from 2016
+3.2pp
31,662
13.4%
+3.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
19,945
% of total
8.5%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
19,945
8.5%
+0.5pp
Maronite Catholic
2021 count
10,103
% of total
4.3%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
10,103
4.3%
+0.5pp
Buddhism
2021 count
9,526
% of total
4.0%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
9,526
4.0%
-0.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
7,539
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
7,539
3.2%
-1.4pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
5,327
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
5,327
2.3%
+0.2pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
3,243
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
3,243
1.4%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Islam
+6,318
+0.9pp
Western Catholic
-3,326
-3.1pp
No Religion, so described
+4,814
+0.9pp
Hinduism
+9,638
+3.2pp
Not stated
+2,666
+0.5pp
Maronite Catholic
+1,788
+0.5pp
Buddhism
+239
-0.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-2,346
-1.4pp
Christianity, nfd
+736
+0.2pp
Greek Orthodox
-191
-0.2pp
Data table
Religion for Cumberland (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 | 53,608 | 22.8% | 6.3% | 47,290 | 21.9% | 5.3% | +6,318 | +0.9pp |
| Western Catholic | 39,643 | 16.8% | 22.1% | 42,969 | 19.9% | 24.2% | -3,326 | -3.1pp |
| No Religion, so described | 34,591 | 14.7% | 30.3% | 29,777 | 13.8% | 24.6% | +4,814 | +0.9pp |
| Hinduism | 31,662 | 13.4% | 4.8% | 22,024 | 10.2% | 3.5% | +9,638 | +3.2pp |
| Not stated | 19,945 | 8.5% | 6.2% | 17,279 | 8.0% | 8.5% | +2,666 | +0.5pp |
| Maronite Catholic | 10,103 | 4.3% | 0.8% | 8,315 | 3.8% | 0.7% | +1,788 | +0.5pp |
| Buddhism | 9,526 | 4.0% | 3.8% | 9,287 | 4.3% | 3.9% | +239 | -0.3pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 7,539 | 3.2% | 9.2% | 9,885 | 4.6% | 12.0% | -2,346 | -1.4pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 5,327 | 2.3% | 2.5% | 4,591 | 2.1% | 2.2% | +736 | +0.2pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 3,243 | 1.4% | 2.3% | 3,434 | 1.6% | 2.4% | -191 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 235,465 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 216,082 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +19,383 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.