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 Merrylands (part), accounting for 27.6% (8,945 people). This share was higher than Cumberland (A) (22.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Western Catholic, which increased by 5,259 people, while its share fell by 14.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Merrylands (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Merrylands (part) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cumberland (A) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Merrylands (part), with comparison markers for Cumberland (A).
Islam
2021 count
8,945
% of total
27.6%
Change from 2016
-
8,945
27.6%
-
Western Catholic
2021 count
5,370
% of total
16.5%
Change from 2016
-14.9pp
5,370
16.5%
-14.9pp
No Religion, so described
2021 count
4,053
% of total
12.5%
Change from 2016
-15.2pp
4,053
12.5%
-15.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
3,350
% of total
10.3%
Change from 2016
+7.2pp
3,350
10.3%
+7.2pp
Maronite Catholic
2021 count
2,791
% of total
8.6%
Change from 2016
-
2,791
8.6%
-
Hinduism
2021 count
1,891
% of total
5.8%
Change from 2016
-
1,891
5.8%
-
Buddhism
2021 count
974
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
-
974
3.0%
-
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
888
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
-20.5pp
888
2.7%
-20.5pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
789
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
789
2.4%
+1.6pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
592
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-
592
1.8%
-
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Western Catholic
+5,259
-14.9pp
No Religion, so described
+3,955
-15.2pp
Not stated
+3,339
+7.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
+806
-20.5pp
Christianity, nfd
+786
+1.6pp
Uniting Church
+259
-2.6pp
Pentecostal, nfd
+210
-0.4pp
Presbyterian
+191
-3.9pp
Jehovah's Witnesses
+44
-2.6pp
Data table
Religion for Merrylands (part). 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 | 8,945 | 27.6% | 22.8% | - | - | 21.9% | - | - |
| Western Catholic | 5,370 | 16.5% | 16.8% | 111 | 31.4% | 19.9% | +5,259 | -14.9pp |
| No Religion, so described | 4,053 | 12.5% | 14.7% | 98 | 27.7% | 13.8% | +3,955 | -15.2pp |
| Not stated | 3,350 | 10.3% | 8.5% | 11 | 3.1% | 8.0% | +3,339 | +7.2pp |
| Maronite Catholic | 2,791 | 8.6% | 4.3% | - | - | 3.8% | - | - |
| Hinduism | 1,891 | 5.8% | 13.4% | - | - | 10.2% | - | - |
| Buddhism | 974 | 3.0% | 4.0% | - | - | 4.3% | - | - |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 888 | 2.7% | 3.2% | 82 | 23.2% | 4.6% | +806 | -20.5pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 789 | 2.4% | 2.3% | 3 | 0.8% | 2.1% | +786 | +1.6pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 592 | 1.8% | 1.4% | - | - | 1.6% | - | - |
| Total | 32,455 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 354 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +32,101 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.