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 Birchgrove, accounting for 53.1% (1,691 people). This share was higher than Inner West (A) (49.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 205 people and 7.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Birchgrove - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Birchgrove in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Inner West (A) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Birchgrove, with comparison markers for Inner West (A).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
1,691
% of total
53.1%
Change from 2016
+7.8pp
1,691
53.1%
+7.8pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
647
% of total
20.3%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
647
20.3%
-0.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
372
% of total
11.7%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
372
11.7%
-1.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
140
% of total
4.4%
Change from 2016
-6.3pp
140
4.4%
-6.3pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
56
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
56
1.8%
+0.3pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
47
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
47
1.5%
+0.5pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
44
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
44
1.4%
+0.2pp
Buddhism
2021 count
40
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
40
1.3%
0.0pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
27
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
27
0.8%
0.0pp
Judaism
2021 count
21
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
21
0.7%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+205
+7.8pp
Western Catholic
-40
-0.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-48
-1.1pp
Not stated
-212
-6.3pp
Presbyterian
+7
+0.3pp
Greek Orthodox
+14
+0.5pp
Uniting Church
+6
+0.2pp
Buddhism
-3
0.0pp
Christianity, nfd
+1
0.0pp
Judaism
0
+0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Birchgrove. 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 | 1,691 | 53.1% | 49.7% | 1,486 | 45.3% | 40.4% | +205 | +7.8pp |
| Western Catholic | 647 | 20.3% | 19.9% | 687 | 20.9% | 21.9% | -40 | -0.6pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 372 | 11.7% | 5.8% | 420 | 12.8% | 7.1% | -48 | -1.1pp |
| Not stated | 140 | 4.4% | 5.4% | 352 | 10.7% | 10.1% | -212 | -6.3pp |
| Presbyterian | 56 | 1.8% | 1.0% | 49 | 1.5% | 1.3% | +7 | +0.3pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 47 | 1.5% | 3.5% | 33 | 1.0% | 3.6% | +14 | +0.5pp |
| Uniting Church | 44 | 1.4% | 0.9% | 38 | 1.2% | 1.2% | +6 | +0.2pp |
| Buddhism | 40 | 1.3% | 3.3% | 43 | 1.3% | 3.6% | -3 | 0.0pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 27 | 0.8% | 1.4% | 26 | 0.8% | 1.3% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Judaism | 21 | 0.7% | 0.5% | 21 | 0.6% | 0.4% | 0 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 3,185 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,281 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -96 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.