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, No religion was the most common religious affiliation among residents in Georges River (A), accounting for 29.4% (44,697 people). This share was lower than Greater Sydney (30.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 4,435 people and 2 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Georges River (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Georges River (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Sydney and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Georges River (A), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
44,697
% of total
29.4%
Change from 2016
+2.0pp
44,697
29.4%
+2.0pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
30,168
% of total
19.8%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
30,168
19.8%
-1.2pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
11,886
% of total
7.8%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
11,886
7.8%
+0.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
10,492
% of total
6.9%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
10,492
6.9%
-1.8pp
Hinduism
2021 count
10,363
% of total
6.8%
Change from 2016
+2.2pp
10,363
6.8%
+2.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
8,722
% of total
5.7%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
8,722
5.7%
-1.5pp
Buddhism
2021 count
7,288
% of total
4.8%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
7,288
4.8%
0.0pp
Islam
2021 count
6,964
% of total
4.6%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
6,964
4.6%
+0.8pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
4,332
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
4,332
2.8%
+0.3pp
Macedonian Orthodox
2021 count
3,024
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
3,024
2.0%
0.0pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+4,435
+2.0pp
Western Catholic
-601
-1.2pp
Greek Orthodox
+1,008
+0.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-2,251
-1.8pp
Hinduism
+3,659
+2.2pp
Not stated
-1,816
-1.5pp
Buddhism
+252
0.0pp
Islam
+1,330
+0.8pp
Christianity, nfd
+712
+0.3pp
Macedonian Orthodox
+68
0.0pp
Data table
Religion for Georges River (A). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Sydney.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 44,697 | 29.4% | 30.3% | 40,262 | 27.4% | 24.6% | +4,435 | +2.0pp |
| Western Catholic | 30,168 | 19.8% | 22.1% | 30,769 | 21.0% | 24.2% | -601 | -1.2pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 11,886 | 7.8% | 2.3% | 10,878 | 7.4% | 2.4% | +1,008 | +0.4pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 10,492 | 6.9% | 9.2% | 12,743 | 8.7% | 12.0% | -2,251 | -1.8pp |
| Hinduism | 10,363 | 6.8% | 4.8% | 6,704 | 4.6% | 3.5% | +3,659 | +2.2pp |
| Not stated | 8,722 | 5.7% | 6.2% | 10,538 | 7.2% | 8.5% | -1,816 | -1.5pp |
| Buddhism | 7,288 | 4.8% | 3.8% | 7,036 | 4.8% | 3.9% | +252 | 0.0pp |
| Islam | 6,964 | 4.6% | 6.3% | 5,634 | 3.8% | 5.3% | +1,330 | +0.8pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 4,332 | 2.8% | 2.5% | 3,620 | 2.5% | 2.2% | +712 | +0.3pp |
| Macedonian Orthodox | 3,024 | 2.0% | 0.3% | 2,956 | 2.0% | 0.3% | +68 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 152,285 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 146,822 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +5,463 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.