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 Sheffield, accounting for 47.9% (769 people). This share was lower than Kentish (M) (51.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 232 people and 12.9 percentage points.

Section overview

Religion - Ranked by size

Sheffield - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises religion for Sheffield in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Kentish (M) and change since 2016.

Religion - Ranked by size snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Sheffield, with comparison markers for Kentish (M).

Sheffield
Kentish (M)

No Religion, so described

2021 count

769

% of total

47.9%

Change from 2016

+12.9pp

Anglican Church of Australia

2021 count

204

% of total

12.7%

Change from 2016

-5.2pp

Not stated

2021 count

178

% of total

11.1%

Change from 2016

-1.3pp

Western Catholic

2021 count

101

% of total

6.3%

Change from 2016

-3.2pp

Baptist

2021 count

97

% of total

6.0%

Change from 2016

-0.4pp

Christianity, nfd

2021 count

69

% of total

4.3%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Uniting Church

2021 count

65

% of total

4.1%

Change from 2016

-1.5pp

Jehovah's Witnesses

2021 count

21

% of total

1.3%

Change from 2016

-0.3pp

Presbyterian

2021 count

15

% of total

0.9%

Change from 2016

-0.7pp

Brethren

2021 count

12

% of total

0.7%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Data table

Religion for Sheffield. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Kentish (M).

Religion for Sheffield. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Kentish (M).
Religion for Sheffield. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Kentish (M).
Category20212016Change
Count%Kentish (M)%Count%Kentish (M)%Countpp
No Religion, so described76947.9%51.9%53735.0%37.7%+232+12.9pp
Anglican Church of Australia20412.7%11.4%27417.9%17.0%-70-5.2pp
Not stated17811.1%10.0%19012.4%10.8%-12-1.3pp
Western Catholic1016.3%8.1%1469.5%11.5%-45-3.2pp
Baptist976.0%2.9%986.4%4.5%-1-0.4pp
Christianity, nfd694.3%3.7%664.3%3.4%+30.0pp
Uniting Church654.1%2.9%865.6%4.8%-21-1.5pp
Jehovah's Witnesses211.3%1.4%241.6%1.5%-3-0.3pp
Presbyterian150.9%1.0%241.6%1.6%-9-0.7pp
Brethren120.7%0.4%90.6%0.3%+3+0.1pp
Total1,604100.0%100.0%1,534100.0%100.0%+700.0pp

Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.