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, Western Catholic was the most common religious affiliation among residents in Hilltops (A), accounting for 29.9% (5,744 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (21%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 1,998 people and 9.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Hilltops (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Hilltops (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Hilltops (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
Western Catholic
2021 count
5,744
% of total
29.9%
Change from 2016
-4.6pp
5,744
29.9%
-4.6pp
No Religion, so described
2021 count
4,912
% of total
25.5%
Change from 2016
+9.7pp
4,912
25.5%
+9.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
4,004
% of total
20.8%
Change from 2016
-5.1pp
4,004
20.8%
-5.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,671
% of total
8.7%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
1,671
8.7%
+0.5pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
704
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
704
3.7%
-0.9pp
Islam
2021 count
527
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
527
2.7%
+1.2pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
488
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
488
2.5%
-0.9pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
297
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
297
1.5%
0.0pp
Baptist
2021 count
135
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
135
0.7%
-0.2pp
Brethren
2021 count
118
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
118
0.6%
0.0pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Western Catholic
-625
-4.6pp
No Religion, so described
+1,998
+9.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-789
-5.1pp
Not stated
+161
+0.5pp
Uniting Church
-141
-0.9pp
Islam
+257
+1.2pp
Presbyterian
-133
-0.9pp
Christianity, nfd
+19
0.0pp
Baptist
-26
-0.2pp
Brethren
+10
0.0pp
Data table
Religion for Hilltops (A). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NSW.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional NSW% | Count | % | Regional NSW% | Count | pp | |
| Western Catholic | 5,744 | 29.9% | 21.0% | 6,369 | 34.5% | 23.8% | -625 | -4.6pp |
| No Religion, so described | 4,912 | 25.5% | 37.4% | 2,914 | 15.8% | 26.0% | +1,998 | +9.7pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 4,004 | 20.8% | 17.0% | 4,793 | 25.9% | 21.9% | -789 | -5.1pp |
| Not stated | 1,671 | 8.7% | 7.7% | 1,510 | 8.2% | 9.3% | +161 | +0.5pp |
| Uniting Church | 704 | 3.7% | 3.3% | 845 | 4.6% | 4.5% | -141 | -0.9pp |
| Islam | 527 | 2.7% | 0.7% | 270 | 1.5% | 0.5% | +257 | +1.2pp |
| Presbyterian | 488 | 2.5% | 2.6% | 621 | 3.4% | 3.5% | -133 | -0.9pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 297 | 1.5% | 2.2% | 278 | 1.5% | 2.2% | +19 | 0.0pp |
| Baptist | 135 | 0.7% | 1.2% | 161 | 0.9% | 1.3% | -26 | -0.2pp |
| Brethren | 118 | 0.6% | 0.1% | 108 | 0.6% | 0.1% | +10 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 19,234 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 18,480 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +754 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.