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, Buddhism was the most common religious affiliation among residents in Canley Heights, accounting for 37.1% (4,566 people). This share was higher than Fairfield (C) (19.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 531 people and 2.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Canley Heights - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Canley Heights in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Fairfield (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Canley Heights, with comparison markers for Fairfield (C).
Buddhism
2021 count
4,566
% of total
37.1%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
4,566
37.1%
-1.4pp
No Religion, so described
2021 count
2,514
% of total
20.4%
Change from 2016
+2.3pp
2,514
20.4%
+2.3pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
2,159
% of total
17.5%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
2,159
17.5%
-1.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,023
% of total
8.3%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
1,023
8.3%
+1.8pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
343
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
343
2.8%
-0.2pp
Islam
2021 count
262
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
262
2.1%
0.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
258
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
258
2.1%
-1.1pp
Assyrian Church of the East
2021 count
123
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
123
1.0%
+0.3pp
Baptist
2021 count
111
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
111
0.9%
-0.2pp
Serbian Orthodox
2021 count
107
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
107
0.9%
-0.3pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Buddhism
+345
-1.4pp
No Religion, so described
+531
+2.3pp
Western Catholic
+102
-1.3pp
Not stated
+307
+1.8pp
Christianity, nfd
+18
-0.2pp
Islam
+36
0.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-94
-1.1pp
Assyrian Church of the East
+50
+0.3pp
Baptist
-7
-0.2pp
Serbian Orthodox
-20
-0.3pp
Data table
Religion for Canley Heights. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Fairfield (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Fairfield (C)% | Count | % | Fairfield (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Buddhism | 4,566 | 37.1% | 19.9% | 4,221 | 38.5% | 20.7% | +345 | -1.4pp |
| No Religion, so described | 2,514 | 20.4% | 14.6% | 1,983 | 18.1% | 12.6% | +531 | +2.3pp |
| Western Catholic | 2,159 | 17.5% | 26.3% | 2,057 | 18.8% | 28.1% | +102 | -1.3pp |
| Not stated | 1,023 | 8.3% | 7.0% | 716 | 6.5% | 7.0% | +307 | +1.8pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 343 | 2.8% | 4.0% | 325 | 3.0% | 3.6% | +18 | -0.2pp |
| Islam | 262 | 2.1% | 6.3% | 226 | 2.1% | 5.9% | +36 | 0.0pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 258 | 2.1% | 2.6% | 352 | 3.2% | 3.7% | -94 | -1.1pp |
| Assyrian Church of the East | 123 | 1.0% | 4.0% | 73 | 0.7% | 3.2% | +50 | +0.3pp |
| Baptist | 111 | 0.9% | 1.1% | 118 | 1.1% | 1.2% | -7 | -0.2pp |
| Serbian Orthodox | 107 | 0.9% | 1.4% | 127 | 1.2% | 1.4% | -20 | -0.3pp |
| Total | 12,319 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 10,969 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,350 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.