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 Petersham, accounting for 54.5% (4,462 people). This share was higher than Inner West (A) (49.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 937 people and 11 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Petersham - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Petersham in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Inner West (A) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Petersham, with comparison markers for Inner West (A).
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Not stated
Anglican Church of Australia
Greek Orthodox
Buddhism
Christianity, nfd
Islam
Hinduism
Uniting Church
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+937
+11.0pp
Western Catholic
-220
-2.9pp
Not stated
-419
-5.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-134
-1.7pp
Greek Orthodox
-12
-0.2pp
Buddhism
-20
-0.2pp
Christianity, nfd
-4
-0.1pp
Islam
+3
0.0pp
Hinduism
0
0.0pp
Uniting Church
-29
-0.4pp
Data table
Religion for Petersham. 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 | 4,462 | 54.5% | 49.7% | 3,525 | 43.5% | 40.4% | +937 | +11.0pp |
| Western Catholic | 1,522 | 18.6% | 19.9% | 1,742 | 21.5% | 21.9% | -220 | -2.9pp |
| Not stated | 531 | 6.5% | 5.4% | 950 | 11.7% | 10.1% | -419 | -5.2pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 438 | 5.4% | 5.8% | 572 | 7.1% | 7.1% | -134 | -1.7pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 238 | 2.9% | 3.5% | 250 | 3.1% | 3.6% | -12 | -0.2pp |
| Buddhism | 169 | 2.1% | 3.3% | 189 | 2.3% | 3.6% | -20 | -0.2pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 102 | 1.2% | 1.4% | 106 | 1.3% | 1.3% | -4 | -0.1pp |
| Islam | 82 | 1.0% | 1.4% | 79 | 1.0% | 1.4% | +3 | 0.0pp |
| Hinduism | 70 | 0.9% | 2.1% | 70 | 0.9% | 2.4% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Uniting Church | 68 | 0.8% | 0.9% | 97 | 1.2% | 1.2% | -29 | -0.4pp |
| Total | 8,185 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 8,100 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +85 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.