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, 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.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Canley Heights, with comparison markers for Fairfield (C).
Buddhism
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Not stated
Christianity, nfd
Islam
Anglican Church of Australia
Assyrian Church of the East
Baptist
Serbian Orthodox
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.