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 Balmain, accounting for 52% (5,423 people). This share was higher than Inner West (A) (49.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 1,131 people and 10.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Balmain - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Balmain in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Inner West (A) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Balmain, with comparison markers for Inner West (A).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
5,423
% of total
52.0%
Change from 2016
+10.9pp
5,423
52.0%
+10.9pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
2,148
% of total
20.6%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
2,148
20.6%
-1.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
1,033
% of total
9.9%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
1,033
9.9%
-1.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
556
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
-6.7pp
556
5.3%
-6.7pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
180
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
180
1.7%
-0.4pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
160
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
160
1.5%
0.0pp
Buddhism
2021 count
132
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
132
1.3%
-0.2pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
126
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
126
1.2%
-0.4pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
105
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
105
1.0%
-0.1pp
Judaism
2021 count
80
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
80
0.8%
0.0pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+1,131
+10.9pp
Western Catholic
-169
-1.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-152
-1.4pp
Not stated
-693
-6.7pp
Presbyterian
-40
-0.4pp
Greek Orthodox
+4
0.0pp
Buddhism
-29
-0.2pp
Uniting Church
-41
-0.4pp
Christianity, nfd
-8
-0.1pp
Judaism
-4
0.0pp
Data table
Religion for Balmain. 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 | 5,423 | 52.0% | 49.7% | 4,292 | 41.1% | 40.4% | +1,131 | +10.9pp |
| Western Catholic | 2,148 | 20.6% | 19.9% | 2,317 | 22.2% | 21.9% | -169 | -1.6pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 1,033 | 9.9% | 5.8% | 1,185 | 11.3% | 7.1% | -152 | -1.4pp |
| Not stated | 556 | 5.3% | 5.4% | 1,249 | 12.0% | 10.1% | -693 | -6.7pp |
| Presbyterian | 180 | 1.7% | 1.0% | 220 | 2.1% | 1.3% | -40 | -0.4pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 160 | 1.5% | 3.5% | 156 | 1.5% | 3.6% | +4 | 0.0pp |
| Buddhism | 132 | 1.3% | 3.3% | 161 | 1.5% | 3.6% | -29 | -0.2pp |
| Uniting Church | 126 | 1.2% | 0.9% | 167 | 1.6% | 1.2% | -41 | -0.4pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 105 | 1.0% | 1.4% | 113 | 1.1% | 1.3% | -8 | -0.1pp |
| Judaism | 80 | 0.8% | 0.5% | 84 | 0.8% | 0.4% | -4 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 10,428 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 10,441 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -13 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.