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, Hinduism was the most common religious affiliation among residents in Westmead (part), accounting for 43.6% (7,219 people). This share was higher than Cumberland (A) (13.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Hinduism, which increased by 563 people and 2.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Westmead (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Westmead (part) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cumberland (A) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Westmead (part), with comparison markers for Cumberland (A).
Hinduism
2021 count
7,219
% of total
43.6%
Change from 2016
+2.7pp
7,219
43.6%
+2.7pp
No Religion, so described
2021 count
2,112
% of total
12.8%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
2,112
12.8%
+1.5pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
1,714
% of total
10.3%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
1,714
10.3%
-0.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,379
% of total
8.3%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
1,379
8.3%
-2.2pp
Islam
2021 count
1,217
% of total
7.3%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
1,217
7.3%
+1.1pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
456
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
456
2.8%
-0.6pp
Buddhism
2021 count
398
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
398
2.4%
-0.4pp
Sikhism
2021 count
372
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
372
2.2%
-0.3pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
351
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
351
2.1%
+0.6pp
Maronite Catholic
2021 count
144
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
144
0.9%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Hinduism
+563
+2.7pp
No Religion, so described
+268
+1.5pp
Western Catholic
-85
-0.7pp
Not stated
-329
-2.2pp
Islam
+209
+1.1pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-100
-0.6pp
Buddhism
-61
-0.4pp
Sikhism
-33
-0.3pp
Christianity, nfd
+103
+0.6pp
Maronite Catholic
+8
+0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Westmead (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 | |
| Hinduism | 7,219 | 43.6% | 13.4% | 6,656 | 40.9% | 10.2% | +563 | +2.7pp |
| No Religion, so described | 2,112 | 12.8% | 14.7% | 1,844 | 11.3% | 13.8% | +268 | +1.5pp |
| Western Catholic | 1,714 | 10.3% | 16.8% | 1,799 | 11.0% | 19.9% | -85 | -0.7pp |
| Not stated | 1,379 | 8.3% | 8.5% | 1,708 | 10.5% | 8.0% | -329 | -2.2pp |
| Islam | 1,217 | 7.3% | 22.8% | 1,008 | 6.2% | 21.9% | +209 | +1.1pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 456 | 2.8% | 3.2% | 556 | 3.4% | 4.6% | -100 | -0.6pp |
| Buddhism | 398 | 2.4% | 4.0% | 459 | 2.8% | 4.3% | -61 | -0.4pp |
| Sikhism | 372 | 2.2% | 0.9% | 405 | 2.5% | 1.0% | -33 | -0.3pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 351 | 2.1% | 2.3% | 248 | 1.5% | 2.1% | +103 | +0.6pp |
| Maronite Catholic | 144 | 0.9% | 4.3% | 136 | 0.8% | 3.8% | +8 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 16,563 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 16,289 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +274 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.