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 Inner West (A), accounting for 49.7% (90,898 people). This share was higher than Greater Sydney (30.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 17,332 people and 9.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Inner West (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Inner West (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Sydney and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Inner West (A), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
90,898
% of total
49.7%
Change from 2016
+9.3pp
90,898
49.7%
+9.3pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
36,438
% of total
19.9%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
36,438
19.9%
-2.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
10,577
% of total
5.8%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
10,577
5.8%
-1.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
9,916
% of total
5.4%
Change from 2016
-4.7pp
9,916
5.4%
-4.7pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
6,426
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
6,426
3.5%
-0.1pp
Buddhism
2021 count
6,059
% of total
3.3%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
6,059
3.3%
-0.3pp
Hinduism
2021 count
3,751
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
3,751
2.1%
-0.3pp
Islam
2021 count
2,497
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
2,497
1.4%
0.0pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
2,496
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
2,496
1.4%
+0.1pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
1,791
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
1,791
1.0%
-0.3pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+17,332
+9.3pp
Western Catholic
-3,361
-2.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-2,408
-1.3pp
Not stated
-8,471
-4.7pp
Greek Orthodox
-94
-0.1pp
Buddhism
-504
-0.3pp
Hinduism
-659
-0.3pp
Islam
-37
0.0pp
Christianity, nfd
+132
+0.1pp
Presbyterian
-543
-0.3pp
Data table
Religion for Inner West (A). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Sydney.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 90,898 | 49.7% | 30.3% | 73,566 | 40.4% | 24.6% | +17,332 | +9.3pp |
| Western Catholic | 36,438 | 19.9% | 22.1% | 39,799 | 21.9% | 24.2% | -3,361 | -2.0pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 10,577 | 5.8% | 9.2% | 12,985 | 7.1% | 12.0% | -2,408 | -1.3pp |
| Not stated | 9,916 | 5.4% | 6.2% | 18,387 | 10.1% | 8.5% | -8,471 | -4.7pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 6,426 | 3.5% | 2.3% | 6,520 | 3.6% | 2.4% | -94 | -0.1pp |
| Buddhism | 6,059 | 3.3% | 3.8% | 6,563 | 3.6% | 3.9% | -504 | -0.3pp |
| Hinduism | 3,751 | 2.1% | 4.8% | 4,410 | 2.4% | 3.5% | -659 | -0.3pp |
| Islam | 2,497 | 1.4% | 6.3% | 2,534 | 1.4% | 5.3% | -37 | 0.0pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 2,496 | 1.4% | 2.5% | 2,364 | 1.3% | 2.2% | +132 | +0.1pp |
| Presbyterian | 1,791 | 1.0% | 1.5% | 2,334 | 1.3% | 1.9% | -543 | -0.3pp |
| Total | 182,798 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 182,006 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +792 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.