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, Islam was the most common religious affiliation among residents in Fairfield East, accounting for 19.8% (1,025 people). This share was higher than Fairfield (C) (6.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Western Catholic, which decreased by 133 people and 2.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Fairfield East - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Fairfield East 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 Fairfield East, with comparison markers for Fairfield (C).
Islam
Buddhism
Western Catholic
No Religion, so described
Not stated
Baptist
Christianity, nfd
Anglican Church of Australia
Greek Orthodox
Chaldean Catholic
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Islam
+81
+1.8pp
Buddhism
-66
-1.0pp
Western Catholic
-133
-2.3pp
No Religion, so described
+91
+1.9pp
Not stated
-14
-0.1pp
Baptist
+36
+0.8pp
Christianity, nfd
+17
+0.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-79
-1.4pp
Greek Orthodox
-9
-0.2pp
Chaldean Catholic
+31
+0.6pp
Data table
Religion for Fairfield East. 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 | |
| Islam | 1,025 | 19.8% | 6.3% | 944 | 18.0% | 5.9% | +81 | +1.8pp |
| Buddhism | 991 | 19.1% | 19.9% | 1,057 | 20.1% | 20.7% | -66 | -1.0pp |
| Western Catholic | 964 | 18.6% | 26.3% | 1,097 | 20.9% | 28.1% | -133 | -2.3pp |
| No Religion, so described | 756 | 14.6% | 14.6% | 665 | 12.7% | 12.6% | +91 | +1.9pp |
| Not stated | 495 | 9.6% | 7.0% | 509 | 9.7% | 7.0% | -14 | -0.1pp |
| Baptist | 179 | 3.5% | 1.1% | 143 | 2.7% | 1.2% | +36 | +0.8pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 133 | 2.6% | 4.0% | 116 | 2.2% | 3.6% | +17 | +0.4pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 112 | 2.2% | 2.6% | 191 | 3.6% | 3.7% | -79 | -1.4pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 63 | 1.2% | 1.3% | 72 | 1.4% | 1.3% | -9 | -0.2pp |
| Chaldean Catholic | 49 | 0.9% | 3.0% | 18 | 0.3% | 2.2% | +31 | +0.6pp |
| Total | 5,181 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,249 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -68 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.