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 Vale, accounting for 35.5% (3,645 people). This share was higher than Fairfield (C) (19.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 569 people and 5.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Canley Vale - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Canley Vale in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Fairfield (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Canley Vale, with comparison markers for Fairfield (C).
Buddhism
2021 count
3,645
% of total
35.5%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
3,645
35.5%
-1.7pp
No Religion, so described
2021 count
2,388
% of total
23.2%
Change from 2016
+5.3pp
2,388
23.2%
+5.3pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
1,735
% of total
16.9%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
1,735
16.9%
-0.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
814
% of total
7.9%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
814
7.9%
-0.8pp
Islam
2021 count
311
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
311
3.0%
-0.8pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
247
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
247
2.4%
0.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
205
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
205
2.0%
-0.2pp
Baptist
2021 count
115
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
115
1.1%
-0.4pp
Serbian Orthodox
2021 count
90
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
90
0.9%
-0.2pp
Russian Orthodox
2021 count
85
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
85
0.8%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Buddhism
-138
-1.7pp
No Religion, so described
+569
+5.3pp
Western Catholic
-69
-0.8pp
Not stated
-68
-0.8pp
Islam
-80
-0.8pp
Christianity, nfd
+1
0.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-18
-0.2pp
Baptist
-35
-0.4pp
Serbian Orthodox
-20
-0.2pp
Russian Orthodox
-16
-0.2pp
Data table
Religion for Canley Vale. 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 | 3,645 | 35.5% | 19.9% | 3,783 | 37.2% | 20.7% | -138 | -1.7pp |
| No Religion, so described | 2,388 | 23.2% | 14.6% | 1,819 | 17.9% | 12.6% | +569 | +5.3pp |
| Western Catholic | 1,735 | 16.9% | 26.3% | 1,804 | 17.7% | 28.1% | -69 | -0.8pp |
| Not stated | 814 | 7.9% | 7.0% | 882 | 8.7% | 7.0% | -68 | -0.8pp |
| Islam | 311 | 3.0% | 6.3% | 391 | 3.8% | 5.9% | -80 | -0.8pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 247 | 2.4% | 4.0% | 246 | 2.4% | 3.6% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 205 | 2.0% | 2.6% | 223 | 2.2% | 3.7% | -18 | -0.2pp |
| Baptist | 115 | 1.1% | 1.1% | 150 | 1.5% | 1.2% | -35 | -0.4pp |
| Serbian Orthodox | 90 | 0.9% | 1.4% | 110 | 1.1% | 1.4% | -20 | -0.2pp |
| Russian Orthodox | 85 | 0.8% | 0.3% | 101 | 1.0% | 0.4% | -16 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 10,271 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 10,182 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +89 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.