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, 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.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Westmead (part), with comparison markers for Cumberland (A).
Hinduism
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Not stated
Islam
Anglican Church of Australia
Buddhism
Sikhism
Christianity, nfd
Maronite Catholic
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.