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 Fairfield (C), accounting for 26.3% (54,904 people). This share was higher than Greater Sydney (22.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 5,379 people and 2 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Fairfield (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Fairfield (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Sydney and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Fairfield (C), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
Western Catholic
2021 count
54,904
% of total
26.3%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
54,904
26.3%
-1.8pp
Buddhism
2021 count
41,473
% of total
19.9%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
41,473
19.9%
-0.8pp
No Religion, so described
2021 count
30,484
% of total
14.6%
Change from 2016
+2.0pp
30,484
14.6%
+2.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
14,570
% of total
7.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
14,570
7.0%
0.0pp
Islam
2021 count
13,190
% of total
6.3%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
13,190
6.3%
+0.4pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
8,369
% of total
4.0%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
8,369
4.0%
+0.4pp
Assyrian Church of the East
2021 count
8,322
% of total
4.0%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
8,322
4.0%
+0.8pp
Chaldean Catholic
2021 count
6,181
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
6,181
3.0%
+0.8pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
5,449
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
5,449
2.6%
-1.1pp
Serbian Orthodox
2021 count
2,967
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
2,967
1.4%
0.0pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Western Catholic
-928
-1.8pp
Buddhism
+337
-0.8pp
No Religion, so described
+5,379
+2.0pp
Not stated
+733
0.0pp
Islam
+1,399
+0.4pp
Christianity, nfd
+1,166
+0.4pp
Assyrian Church of the East
+1,891
+0.8pp
Chaldean Catholic
+1,750
+0.8pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-1,903
-1.1pp
Serbian Orthodox
+84
0.0pp
Data table
Religion for Fairfield (C). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Sydney.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | pp | |
| Western Catholic | 54,904 | 26.3% | 22.1% | 55,832 | 28.1% | 24.2% | -928 | -1.8pp |
| Buddhism | 41,473 | 19.9% | 3.8% | 41,136 | 20.7% | 3.9% | +337 | -0.8pp |
| No Religion, so described | 30,484 | 14.6% | 30.3% | 25,105 | 12.6% | 24.6% | +5,379 | +2.0pp |
| Not stated | 14,570 | 7.0% | 6.2% | 13,837 | 7.0% | 8.5% | +733 | 0.0pp |
| Islam | 13,190 | 6.3% | 6.3% | 11,791 | 5.9% | 5.3% | +1,399 | +0.4pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 8,369 | 4.0% | 2.5% | 7,203 | 3.6% | 2.2% | +1,166 | +0.4pp |
| Assyrian Church of the East | 8,322 | 4.0% | 0.2% | 6,431 | 3.2% | 0.2% | +1,891 | +0.8pp |
| Chaldean Catholic | 6,181 | 3.0% | 0.2% | 4,431 | 2.2% | 0.1% | +1,750 | +0.8pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 5,449 | 2.6% | 9.2% | 7,352 | 3.7% | 12.0% | -1,903 | -1.1pp |
| Serbian Orthodox | 2,967 | 1.4% | 0.4% | 2,883 | 1.4% | 0.3% | +84 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 208,416 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 198,828 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +9,588 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.