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 Hawkesbury (C), accounting for 33.7% (22,678 people). This share was higher than Greater Sydney (30.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 7,238 people and 9.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Hawkesbury (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Hawkesbury (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Sydney and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Hawkesbury (C), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
22,678
% of total
33.7%
Change from 2016
+9.8pp
22,678
33.7%
+9.8pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
17,295
% of total
25.7%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
17,295
25.7%
-1.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
12,997
% of total
19.3%
Change from 2016
-5.3pp
12,997
19.3%
-5.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
3,725
% of total
5.5%
Change from 2016
-2.4pp
3,725
5.5%
-2.4pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
1,720
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
1,720
2.6%
-0.7pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
1,479
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
1,479
2.2%
+0.2pp
Baptist
2021 count
1,084
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
1,084
1.6%
-0.2pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
1,061
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
1,061
1.6%
-0.6pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
631
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
631
0.9%
-0.3pp
Buddhism
2021 count
427
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
427
0.6%
0.0pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+7,238
+9.8pp
Western Catholic
-380
-1.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-2,876
-5.3pp
Not stated
-1,386
-2.4pp
Uniting Church
-433
-0.7pp
Christianity, nfd
+181
+0.2pp
Baptist
-81
-0.2pp
Presbyterian
-359
-0.6pp
Pentecostal, nfd
-165
-0.3pp
Buddhism
+26
0.0pp
Data table
Religion for Hawkesbury (C). 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 | 22,678 | 33.7% | 30.3% | 15,440 | 23.9% | 24.6% | +7,238 | +9.8pp |
| Western Catholic | 17,295 | 25.7% | 22.1% | 17,675 | 27.4% | 24.2% | -380 | -1.7pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 12,997 | 19.3% | 9.2% | 15,873 | 24.6% | 12.0% | -2,876 | -5.3pp |
| Not stated | 3,725 | 5.5% | 6.2% | 5,111 | 7.9% | 8.5% | -1,386 | -2.4pp |
| Uniting Church | 1,720 | 2.6% | 1.5% | 2,153 | 3.3% | 2.0% | -433 | -0.7pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 1,479 | 2.2% | 2.5% | 1,298 | 2.0% | 2.2% | +181 | +0.2pp |
| Baptist | 1,084 | 1.6% | 1.2% | 1,165 | 1.8% | 1.2% | -81 | -0.2pp |
| Presbyterian | 1,061 | 1.6% | 1.5% | 1,420 | 2.2% | 1.9% | -359 | -0.6pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 631 | 0.9% | 0.8% | 796 | 1.2% | 1.0% | -165 | -0.3pp |
| Buddhism | 427 | 0.6% | 3.8% | 401 | 0.6% | 3.9% | +26 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 67,205 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 64,596 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,609 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.