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 Ashfield (NSW), accounting for 39.7% (9,121 people). This share was lower than Inner West (A) (49.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 1,216 people and 6.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Ashfield (NSW) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Ashfield (NSW) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Inner West (A) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Ashfield (NSW), with comparison markers for Inner West (A).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
9,121
% of total
39.7%
Change from 2016
+6.5pp
9,121
39.7%
+6.5pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
4,557
% of total
19.8%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
4,557
19.8%
-0.1pp
Hinduism
2021 count
2,187
% of total
9.5%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
2,187
9.5%
-1.7pp
Buddhism
2021 count
1,506
% of total
6.5%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
1,506
6.5%
-0.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,269
% of total
5.5%
Change from 2016
-3.6pp
1,269
5.5%
-3.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
1,058
% of total
4.6%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
1,058
4.6%
-0.4pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
500
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
500
2.2%
0.0pp
Islam
2021 count
490
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
490
2.1%
+0.4pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
457
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
457
2.0%
+0.2pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
294
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
294
1.3%
-0.5pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+1,216
+6.5pp
Western Catholic
-177
-0.1pp
Hinduism
-493
-1.7pp
Buddhism
-102
-0.2pp
Not stated
-894
-3.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-132
-0.4pp
Greek Orthodox
-26
0.0pp
Islam
+87
+0.4pp
Christianity, nfd
+36
+0.2pp
Presbyterian
-134
-0.5pp
Data table
Religion for Ashfield (NSW). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Inner West (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Inner West (A)% | Count | % | Inner West (A)% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 9,121 | 39.7% | 49.7% | 7,905 | 33.2% | 40.4% | +1,216 | +6.5pp |
| Western Catholic | 4,557 | 19.8% | 19.9% | 4,734 | 19.9% | 21.9% | -177 | -0.1pp |
| Hinduism | 2,187 | 9.5% | 2.1% | 2,680 | 11.2% | 2.4% | -493 | -1.7pp |
| Buddhism | 1,506 | 6.5% | 3.3% | 1,608 | 6.7% | 3.6% | -102 | -0.2pp |
| Not stated | 1,269 | 5.5% | 5.4% | 2,163 | 9.1% | 10.1% | -894 | -3.6pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 1,058 | 4.6% | 5.8% | 1,190 | 5.0% | 7.1% | -132 | -0.4pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 500 | 2.2% | 3.5% | 526 | 2.2% | 3.6% | -26 | 0.0pp |
| Islam | 490 | 2.1% | 1.4% | 403 | 1.7% | 1.4% | +87 | +0.4pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 457 | 2.0% | 1.4% | 421 | 1.8% | 1.3% | +36 | +0.2pp |
| Presbyterian | 294 | 1.3% | 1.0% | 428 | 1.8% | 1.3% | -134 | -0.5pp |
| Total | 23,002 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 23,828 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -826 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.