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, 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.
This area boundary has changed from 2016 to 2021. As a result, 2016 values are mapped onto 2021 suburb boundaries using ABS concordance.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Penshurst (NSW), with comparison markers for Georges River (A).
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Hinduism
Anglican Church of Australia
Not stated
Greek Orthodox
Buddhism
Islam
Christianity, nfd
Macedonian Orthodox
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.