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 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.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Cumberland (A), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
Islam
Western Catholic
No Religion, so described
Hinduism
Not stated
Maronite Catholic
Buddhism
Anglican Church of Australia
Christianity, nfd
Greek Orthodox
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.