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 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
2021 count
9,408
% of total
39.1%
Change from 2016
+5.5pp
9,408
39.1%
+5.5pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
3,439
% of total
14.3%
Change from 2016
-3.3pp
3,439
14.3%
-3.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
2,485
% of total
10.3%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
2,485
10.3%
+0.7pp
No Religion, so described
2021 count
2,380
% of total
9.9%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
2,380
9.9%
-0.3pp
Maronite Catholic
2021 count
1,690
% of total
7.0%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
1,690
7.0%
+0.3pp
Buddhism
2021 count
686
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
686
2.8%
-0.5pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
670
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
670
2.8%
-1.4pp
Hinduism
2021 count
653
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
653
2.7%
+0.3pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
492
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
492
2.0%
0.0pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
298
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
298
1.2%
-0.3pp
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.