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 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 867 people and 11.8 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.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Lewisham (NSW), with comparison markers for Inner West (A).
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Not stated
Anglican Church of Australia
Buddhism
Greek Orthodox
Christianity, nfd
Baptist
Hinduism
Uniting Church
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+867
+11.8pp
Western Catholic
-4
-5.0pp
Not stated
-25
-2.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-55
-3.2pp
Buddhism
+59
+0.9pp
Greek Orthodox
+18
-0.2pp
Christianity, nfd
-3
-0.4pp
Baptist
+18
+0.3pp
Hinduism
+15
+0.1pp
Uniting Church
+3
-0.1pp
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% | 1,368 | 43.5% | 40.4% | +867 | +11.8pp |
| Western Catholic | 697 | 17.3% | 19.9% | 701 | 22.3% | 21.9% | -4 | -5.0pp |
| Not stated | 278 | 6.9% | 5.4% | 303 | 9.6% | 10.1% | -25 | -2.7pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 208 | 5.2% | 5.8% | 263 | 8.4% | 7.1% | -55 | -3.2pp |
| Buddhism | 134 | 3.3% | 3.3% | 75 | 2.4% | 3.6% | +59 | +0.9pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 109 | 2.7% | 3.5% | 91 | 2.9% | 3.6% | +18 | -0.2pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 55 | 1.4% | 1.4% | 58 | 1.8% | 1.3% | -3 | -0.4pp |
| Baptist | 43 | 1.1% | 0.5% | 25 | 0.8% | 0.5% | +18 | +0.3pp |
| Hinduism | 42 | 1.0% | 2.1% | 27 | 0.9% | 2.4% | +15 | +0.1pp |
| Uniting Church | 39 | 1.0% | 0.9% | 36 | 1.1% | 1.2% | +3 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 4,038 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,146 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +892 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.