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 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 Islam, which increased by 1,674 people and 3 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.
This area boundary has changed from 2016 to 2021. As a result, 2016 values are mapped onto 2021 suburb boundaries using ABS concordance.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Merrylands (part), with comparison markers for Cumberland (A).
Islam
Western Catholic
No Religion, so described
Not stated
Maronite Catholic
Hinduism
Buddhism
Anglican Church of Australia
Christianity, nfd
Greek Orthodox
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Islam
+1,674
+3.0pp
Western Catholic
-708
-4.0pp
No Religion, so described
+579
+0.8pp
Not stated
+948
+2.2pp
Maronite Catholic
+348
+0.3pp
Hinduism
+526
+1.2pp
Buddhism
+59
-0.1pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-328
-1.4pp
Christianity, nfd
+51
-0.1pp
Greek Orthodox
+16
-0.1pp
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% | 7,271 | 24.6% | 21.9% | +1,674 | +3.0pp |
| Western Catholic | 5,370 | 16.5% | 16.8% | 6,078 | 20.5% | 19.9% | -708 | -4.0pp |
| No Religion, so described | 4,053 | 12.5% | 14.7% | 3,474 | 11.7% | 13.8% | +579 | +0.8pp |
| Not stated | 3,350 | 10.3% | 8.5% | 2,402 | 8.1% | 8.0% | +948 | +2.2pp |
| Maronite Catholic | 2,791 | 8.6% | 4.3% | 2,443 | 8.3% | 3.8% | +348 | +0.3pp |
| Hinduism | 1,891 | 5.8% | 13.4% | 1,365 | 4.6% | 10.2% | +526 | +1.2pp |
| Buddhism | 974 | 3.0% | 4.0% | 915 | 3.1% | 4.3% | +59 | -0.1pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 888 | 2.7% | 3.2% | 1,216 | 4.1% | 4.6% | -328 | -1.4pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 789 | 2.4% | 2.3% | 738 | 2.5% | 2.1% | +51 | -0.1pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 592 | 1.8% | 1.4% | 576 | 1.9% | 1.6% | +16 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 32,455 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 29,592 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,863 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.