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, Western Catholic was the most common religious affiliation among residents in Bossley Park, accounting for 40.6% (6,288 people). This share was higher than Fairfield (C) (26.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Western Catholic, which increased by 6,150 people and 9.9 percentage points.

Section overview

Religion - Ranked by size

Bossley Park - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises religion for Bossley Park in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Fairfield (C) and change since 2016.

Religion - Ranked by size snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Bossley Park, with comparison markers for Fairfield (C).

Bossley Park
Fairfield (C)

Western Catholic

2021 count

6,288

% of total

40.6%

Change from 2016

+9.9pp

No Religion, so described

2021 count

1,236

% of total

8.0%

Change from 2016

-8.7pp

Chaldean Catholic

2021 count

1,169

% of total

7.5%

Change from 2016

-

Assyrian Church of the East

2021 count

1,058

% of total

6.8%

Change from 2016

-

Buddhism

2021 count

985

% of total

6.4%

Change from 2016

+5.7pp

Not stated

2021 count

905

% of total

5.8%

Change from 2016

-6.2pp

Christianity, nfd

2021 count

712

% of total

4.6%

Change from 2016

+3.9pp

Islam

2021 count

534

% of total

3.4%

Change from 2016

-

Anglican Church of Australia

2021 count

465

% of total

3.0%

Change from 2016

-21.7pp

Greek Orthodox

2021 count

338

% of total

2.2%

Change from 2016

-

Data table

Religion for Bossley Park. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Fairfield (C).

Religion for Bossley Park. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Fairfield (C).
Religion for Bossley Park. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Fairfield (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Fairfield (C)%Count%Fairfield (C)%Countpp
Western Catholic6,28840.6%26.3%13830.7%28.1%+6,150+9.9pp
No Religion, so described1,2368.0%14.6%7516.7%12.6%+1,161-8.7pp
Chaldean Catholic1,1697.5%3.0%--2.2%--
Assyrian Church of the East1,0586.8%4.0%--3.2%--
Buddhism9856.4%19.9%30.7%20.7%+982+5.7pp
Not stated9055.8%7.0%5412.0%7.0%+851-6.2pp
Christianity, nfd7124.6%4.0%30.7%3.6%+709+3.9pp
Islam5343.4%6.3%--5.9%--
Anglican Church of Australia4653.0%2.6%11124.7%3.7%+354-21.7pp
Greek Orthodox3382.2%1.3%--1.3%--
Total15,487100.0%100.0%450100.0%100.0%+15,0370.0pp

Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.