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 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.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Smithfield (NSW) (part), with comparison markers for Fairfield (C).
Western Catholic
No Religion, so described
Islam
Buddhism
Not stated
Assyrian Church of the East
Christianity, nfd
Anglican Church of Australia
Chaldean Catholic
Greek Orthodox
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.