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, 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 No religion, which increased by 269 people and 0.8 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
Buddhism
No Religion, so described
Not stated
Islam
Christianity, nfd
Assyrian Church of the East
Chaldean Catholic
Anglican Church of Australia
Greek Orthodox
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Western Catholic
+217
-1.6pp
Buddhism
+15
-1.6pp
No Religion, so described
+269
+0.8pp
Not stated
+153
+0.5pp
Islam
+87
+0.1pp
Christianity, nfd
+250
+1.5pp
Assyrian Church of the East
+160
+0.7pp
Chaldean Catholic
+216
+1.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-137
-1.5pp
Greek Orthodox
+20
0.0pp
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% | 3,534 | 30.5% | 28.1% | +217 | -1.6pp |
| Buddhism | 1,884 | 14.5% | 19.9% | 1,869 | 16.1% | 20.7% | +15 | -1.6pp |
| No Religion, so described | 1,663 | 12.8% | 14.6% | 1,394 | 12.0% | 12.6% | +269 | +0.8pp |
| Not stated | 928 | 7.2% | 7.0% | 775 | 6.7% | 7.0% | +153 | +0.5pp |
| Islam | 760 | 5.9% | 6.3% | 673 | 5.8% | 5.9% | +87 | +0.1pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 704 | 5.4% | 4.0% | 454 | 3.9% | 3.6% | +250 | +1.5pp |
| Assyrian Church of the East | 665 | 5.1% | 4.0% | 505 | 4.4% | 3.2% | +160 | +0.7pp |
| Chaldean Catholic | 572 | 4.4% | 3.0% | 356 | 3.1% | 2.2% | +216 | +1.3pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 413 | 3.2% | 2.6% | 550 | 4.7% | 3.7% | -137 | -1.5pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 194 | 1.5% | 1.3% | 174 | 1.5% | 1.3% | +20 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 12,964 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 11,583 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,381 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.