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