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 Penshurst (NSW), accounting for 29.2% (3,680 people). This share was similar to Georges River (A) (29.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 441 people and 4 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Penshurst (NSW) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Penshurst (NSW) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Georges River (A) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Penshurst (NSW), with comparison markers for Georges River (A).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
3,680
% of total
29.2%
Change from 2016
+4.0pp
3,680
29.2%
+4.0pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
2,678
% of total
21.3%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
2,678
21.3%
-1.8pp
Hinduism
2021 count
1,227
% of total
9.7%
Change from 2016
+1.7pp
1,227
9.7%
+1.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
855
% of total
6.8%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
855
6.8%
-1.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
827
% of total
6.6%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
827
6.6%
-0.6pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
634
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
634
5.0%
+0.1pp
Buddhism
2021 count
560
% of total
4.4%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
560
4.4%
-0.3pp
Islam
2021 count
443
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
443
3.5%
-0.5pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
368
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
368
2.9%
+0.5pp
Macedonian Orthodox
2021 count
179
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
179
1.4%
-0.3pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+441
+4.0pp
Western Catholic
-289
-1.8pp
Hinduism
+201
+1.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-224
-1.6pp
Not stated
-92
-0.6pp
Greek Orthodox
0
+0.1pp
Buddhism
-47
-0.3pp
Islam
-69
-0.5pp
Christianity, nfd
+59
+0.5pp
Macedonian Orthodox
-34
-0.3pp
Data table
Religion for Penshurst (NSW). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Georges River (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Georges River (A)% | Count | % | Georges River (A)% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 3,680 | 29.2% | 29.4% | 3,239 | 25.2% | 27.4% | +441 | +4.0pp |
| Western Catholic | 2,678 | 21.3% | 19.8% | 2,967 | 23.1% | 21.0% | -289 | -1.8pp |
| Hinduism | 1,227 | 9.7% | 6.8% | 1,026 | 8.0% | 4.6% | +201 | +1.7pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 855 | 6.8% | 6.9% | 1,079 | 8.4% | 8.7% | -224 | -1.6pp |
| Not stated | 827 | 6.6% | 5.7% | 919 | 7.2% | 7.2% | -92 | -0.6pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 634 | 5.0% | 7.8% | 634 | 4.9% | 7.4% | 0 | +0.1pp |
| Buddhism | 560 | 4.4% | 4.8% | 607 | 4.7% | 4.8% | -47 | -0.3pp |
| Islam | 443 | 3.5% | 4.6% | 512 | 4.0% | 3.8% | -69 | -0.5pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 368 | 2.9% | 2.8% | 309 | 2.4% | 2.5% | +59 | +0.5pp |
| Macedonian Orthodox | 179 | 1.4% | 2.0% | 213 | 1.7% | 2.0% | -34 | -0.3pp |
| Total | 12,588 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 12,841 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -253 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.