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 Smithfield (NSW) (part), accounting for 31.9% (4,197 people). This share was higher than Fairfield (C) (26.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Assyrian Church of the East, which increased by 274 people and 1.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Smithfield (NSW) (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Smithfield (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 Smithfield (NSW) (part), with comparison markers for Fairfield (C).
Western Catholic
2021 count
4,197
% of total
31.9%
Change from 2016
-4.0pp
4,197
31.9%
-4.0pp
No Religion, so described
2021 count
1,390
% of total
10.6%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
1,390
10.6%
+0.6pp
Islam
2021 count
1,241
% of total
9.4%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
1,241
9.4%
+1.2pp
Buddhism
2021 count
1,047
% of total
8.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
1,047
8.0%
0.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
821
% of total
6.2%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
821
6.2%
-1.2pp
Assyrian Church of the East
2021 count
743
% of total
5.6%
Change from 2016
+1.7pp
743
5.6%
+1.7pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
663
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
663
5.0%
+1.1pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
578
% of total
4.4%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
578
4.4%
-2.0pp
Chaldean Catholic
2021 count
545
% of total
4.1%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
545
4.1%
+1.1pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
226
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
226
1.7%
0.0pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Western Catholic
-97
-4.0pp
No Religion, so described
+198
+0.6pp
Islam
+257
+1.2pp
Buddhism
+94
0.0pp
Not stated
-59
-1.2pp
Assyrian Church of the East
+274
+1.7pp
Christianity, nfd
+194
+1.1pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-185
-2.0pp
Chaldean Catholic
+188
+1.1pp
Greek Orthodox
+25
0.0pp
Data table
Religion for Smithfield (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 | 4,197 | 31.9% | 26.3% | 4,294 | 35.9% | 28.1% | -97 | -4.0pp |
| No Religion, so described | 1,390 | 10.6% | 14.6% | 1,192 | 10.0% | 12.6% | +198 | +0.6pp |
| Islam | 1,241 | 9.4% | 6.3% | 984 | 8.2% | 5.9% | +257 | +1.2pp |
| Buddhism | 1,047 | 8.0% | 19.9% | 953 | 8.0% | 20.7% | +94 | 0.0pp |
| Not stated | 821 | 6.2% | 7.0% | 880 | 7.4% | 7.0% | -59 | -1.2pp |
| Assyrian Church of the East | 743 | 5.6% | 4.0% | 469 | 3.9% | 3.2% | +274 | +1.7pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 663 | 5.0% | 4.0% | 469 | 3.9% | 3.6% | +194 | +1.1pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 578 | 4.4% | 2.6% | 763 | 6.4% | 3.7% | -185 | -2.0pp |
| Chaldean Catholic | 545 | 4.1% | 3.0% | 357 | 3.0% | 2.2% | +188 | +1.1pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 226 | 1.7% | 1.3% | 201 | 1.7% | 1.3% | +25 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 13,161 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 11,960 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,201 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.