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 Lewisham (NSW), accounting for 55.3% (2,235 people). This share was higher than Inner West (A) (49.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 1,928 people and 33.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Lewisham (NSW) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Lewisham (NSW) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Inner West (A) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Lewisham (NSW), with comparison markers for Inner West (A).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
2,235
% of total
55.3%
Change from 2016
+33.1pp
2,235
55.3%
+33.1pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
697
% of total
17.3%
Change from 2016
-12.2pp
697
17.3%
-12.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
278
% of total
6.9%
Change from 2016
+2.7pp
278
6.9%
+2.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
208
% of total
5.2%
Change from 2016
-24.2pp
208
5.2%
-24.2pp
Buddhism
2021 count
134
% of total
3.3%
Change from 2016
+2.9pp
134
3.3%
+2.9pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
109
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
109
2.7%
-0.6pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
55
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
55
1.4%
+0.6pp
Baptist
2021 count
43
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
43
1.1%
-0.1pp
Hinduism
2021 count
42
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-
42
1.0%
-
Uniting Church
2021 count
39
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-3.2pp
39
1.0%
-3.2pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+1,928
+33.1pp
Western Catholic
+288
-12.2pp
Not stated
+220
+2.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-199
-24.2pp
Buddhism
+129
+2.9pp
Greek Orthodox
+63
-0.6pp
Christianity, nfd
+44
+0.6pp
Baptist
+27
-0.1pp
Uniting Church
-19
-3.2pp
Presbyterian
-5
-1.4pp
Data table
Religion for Lewisham (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 | 2,235 | 55.3% | 49.7% | 307 | 22.2% | 40.4% | +1,928 | +33.1pp |
| Western Catholic | 697 | 17.3% | 19.9% | 409 | 29.5% | 21.9% | +288 | -12.2pp |
| Not stated | 278 | 6.9% | 5.4% | 58 | 4.2% | 10.1% | +220 | +2.7pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 208 | 5.2% | 5.8% | 407 | 29.4% | 7.1% | -199 | -24.2pp |
| Buddhism | 134 | 3.3% | 3.3% | 5 | 0.4% | 3.6% | +129 | +2.9pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 109 | 2.7% | 3.5% | 46 | 3.3% | 3.6% | +63 | -0.6pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 55 | 1.4% | 1.4% | 11 | 0.8% | 1.3% | +44 | +0.6pp |
| Baptist | 43 | 1.1% | 0.5% | 16 | 1.2% | 0.5% | +27 | -0.1pp |
| Hinduism | 42 | 1.0% | 2.1% | - | - | 2.4% | - | - |
| Uniting Church | 39 | 1.0% | 0.9% | 58 | 4.2% | 1.2% | -19 | -3.2pp |
| Total | 4,038 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,386 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,652 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.