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 Guildford (NSW), accounting for 39.1% (9,408 people). This share was higher than Cumberland (A) (22.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Islam, which increased by 1,914 people and 5.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Guildford (NSW) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Guildford (NSW) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cumberland (A) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Guildford (NSW), with comparison markers for Cumberland (A).
Islam
Western Catholic
Not stated
No Religion, so described
Maronite Catholic
Buddhism
Anglican Church of Australia
Hinduism
Christianity, nfd
Greek Orthodox
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Islam
+1,914
+5.5pp
Western Catholic
-487
-3.3pp
Not stated
+346
+0.7pp
No Religion, so described
+98
-0.3pp
Maronite Catholic
+203
+0.3pp
Buddhism
-50
-0.5pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-257
-1.4pp
Hinduism
+108
+0.3pp
Christianity, nfd
+37
0.0pp
Greek Orthodox
-28
-0.3pp
Data table
Religion for Guildford (NSW). 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 | |
| Islam | 9,408 | 39.1% | 22.8% | 7,494 | 33.6% | 21.9% | +1,914 | +5.5pp |
| Western Catholic | 3,439 | 14.3% | 16.8% | 3,926 | 17.6% | 19.9% | -487 | -3.3pp |
| Not stated | 2,485 | 10.3% | 8.5% | 2,139 | 9.6% | 8.0% | +346 | +0.7pp |
| No Religion, so described | 2,380 | 9.9% | 14.7% | 2,282 | 10.2% | 13.8% | +98 | -0.3pp |
| Maronite Catholic | 1,690 | 7.0% | 4.3% | 1,487 | 6.7% | 3.8% | +203 | +0.3pp |
| Buddhism | 686 | 2.8% | 4.0% | 736 | 3.3% | 4.3% | -50 | -0.5pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 670 | 2.8% | 3.2% | 927 | 4.2% | 4.6% | -257 | -1.4pp |
| Hinduism | 653 | 2.7% | 13.4% | 545 | 2.4% | 10.2% | +108 | +0.3pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 492 | 2.0% | 2.3% | 455 | 2.0% | 2.1% | +37 | 0.0pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 298 | 1.2% | 1.4% | 326 | 1.5% | 1.6% | -28 | -0.3pp |
| Total | 24,078 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 22,303 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,775 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.