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 (NSW) (part), accounting for 25.1% (4,654 people). This share was lower than Fairfield (C) (26.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Western Catholic, which increased by 1,120 people, while its share fell by 5.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Fairfield (NSW) (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Fairfield (NSW) (part) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Fairfield (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Fairfield (NSW) (part), with comparison markers for Fairfield (C).
Western Catholic
2021 count
4,654
% of total
25.1%
Change from 2016
-5.4pp
4,654
25.1%
-5.4pp
No Religion, so described
2021 count
2,192
% of total
11.8%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
2,192
11.8%
-0.2pp
Buddhism
2021 count
2,185
% of total
11.8%
Change from 2016
-4.3pp
2,185
11.8%
-4.3pp
Islam
2021 count
1,585
% of total
8.5%
Change from 2016
+2.7pp
1,585
8.5%
+2.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,424
% of total
7.7%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
1,424
7.7%
+1.0pp
Assyrian Church of the East
2021 count
1,386
% of total
7.5%
Change from 2016
+3.1pp
1,386
7.5%
+3.1pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
1,047
% of total
5.6%
Change from 2016
+1.7pp
1,047
5.6%
+1.7pp
Chaldean Catholic
2021 count
851
% of total
4.6%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
851
4.6%
+1.5pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
379
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-2.7pp
379
2.0%
-2.7pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
254
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
254
1.4%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Western Catholic
+1,120
-5.4pp
No Religion, so described
+798
-0.2pp
Buddhism
+316
-4.3pp
Islam
+912
+2.7pp
Not stated
+649
+1.0pp
Assyrian Church of the East
+881
+3.1pp
Christianity, nfd
+593
+1.7pp
Chaldean Catholic
+495
+1.5pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-171
-2.7pp
Greek Orthodox
+80
-0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Fairfield (NSW) (part). 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 | |
| Western Catholic | 4,654 | 25.1% | 26.3% | 3,534 | 30.5% | 28.1% | +1,120 | -5.4pp |
| No Religion, so described | 2,192 | 11.8% | 14.6% | 1,394 | 12.0% | 12.6% | +798 | -0.2pp |
| Buddhism | 2,185 | 11.8% | 19.9% | 1,869 | 16.1% | 20.7% | +316 | -4.3pp |
| Islam | 1,585 | 8.5% | 6.3% | 673 | 5.8% | 5.9% | +912 | +2.7pp |
| Not stated | 1,424 | 7.7% | 7.0% | 775 | 6.7% | 7.0% | +649 | +1.0pp |
| Assyrian Church of the East | 1,386 | 7.5% | 4.0% | 505 | 4.4% | 3.2% | +881 | +3.1pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 1,047 | 5.6% | 4.0% | 454 | 3.9% | 3.6% | +593 | +1.7pp |
| Chaldean Catholic | 851 | 4.6% | 3.0% | 356 | 3.1% | 2.2% | +495 | +1.5pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 379 | 2.0% | 2.6% | 550 | 4.7% | 3.7% | -171 | -2.7pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 254 | 1.4% | 1.3% | 174 | 1.5% | 1.3% | +80 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 18,578 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 11,583 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +6,995 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.