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 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.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Ashfield (NSW), with comparison markers for Inner West (A).
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Hinduism
Buddhism
Not stated
Anglican Church of Australia
Greek Orthodox
Islam
Christianity, nfd
Presbyterian
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.