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 West, accounting for 28.9% (3,751 people). This share was higher than Fairfield (C) (26.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Western Catholic, which increased by 3,618 people, while its share fell by 5.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Fairfield West - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Fairfield West in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Fairfield (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Fairfield West, with comparison markers for Fairfield (C).
Western Catholic
2021 count
3,751
% of total
28.9%
Change from 2016
-5.3pp
3,751
28.9%
-5.3pp
Buddhism
2021 count
1,884
% of total
14.5%
Change from 2016
+12.7pp
1,884
14.5%
+12.7pp
No Religion, so described
2021 count
1,663
% of total
12.8%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
1,663
12.8%
-1.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
928
% of total
7.2%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
928
7.2%
+0.3pp
Islam
2021 count
760
% of total
5.9%
Change from 2016
-
760
5.9%
-
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
704
% of total
5.4%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
704
5.4%
+1.3pp
Assyrian Church of the East
2021 count
665
% of total
5.1%
Change from 2016
-
665
5.1%
-
Chaldean Catholic
2021 count
572
% of total
4.4%
Change from 2016
-
572
4.4%
-
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
413
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
-23.0pp
413
3.2%
-23.0pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
194
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-
194
1.5%
-
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Western Catholic
+3,618
-5.3pp
Buddhism
+1,877
+12.7pp
No Religion, so described
+1,607
-1.6pp
Not stated
+901
+0.3pp
Christianity, nfd
+688
+1.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
+311
-23.0pp
Pentecostal, nfd
+74
-0.2pp
Uniting Church
+43
-4.9pp
Presbyterian
+37
-4.7pp
Data table
Religion for Fairfield West. 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 | 3,751 | 28.9% | 26.3% | 133 | 34.2% | 28.1% | +3,618 | -5.3pp |
| Buddhism | 1,884 | 14.5% | 19.9% | 7 | 1.8% | 20.7% | +1,877 | +12.7pp |
| No Religion, so described | 1,663 | 12.8% | 14.6% | 56 | 14.4% | 12.6% | +1,607 | -1.6pp |
| Not stated | 928 | 7.2% | 7.0% | 27 | 6.9% | 7.0% | +901 | +0.3pp |
| Islam | 760 | 5.9% | 6.3% | - | - | 5.9% | - | - |
| Christianity, nfd | 704 | 5.4% | 4.0% | 16 | 4.1% | 3.6% | +688 | +1.3pp |
| Assyrian Church of the East | 665 | 5.1% | 4.0% | - | - | 3.2% | - | - |
| Chaldean Catholic | 572 | 4.4% | 3.0% | - | - | 2.2% | - | - |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 413 | 3.2% | 2.6% | 102 | 26.2% | 3.7% | +311 | -23.0pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 194 | 1.5% | 1.3% | - | - | 1.3% | - | - |
| Total | 12,964 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 389 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +12,575 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.