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 Ku-ring-gai (A), accounting for 40.9% (50,683 people). This share was higher than Greater Sydney (30.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 14,047 people and 9.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Ku-ring-gai (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Ku-ring-gai (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Sydney and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Ku-ring-gai (A), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
50,683
% of total
40.9%
Change from 2016
+9.9pp
50,683
40.9%
+9.9pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
20,455
% of total
16.5%
Change from 2016
-2.3pp
20,455
16.5%
-2.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
18,807
% of total
15.2%
Change from 2016
-3.7pp
18,807
15.2%
-3.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
5,093
% of total
4.1%
Change from 2016
-3.3pp
5,093
4.1%
-3.3pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
4,608
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
4,608
3.7%
-1.0pp
Buddhism
2021 count
3,793
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
3,793
3.1%
+0.5pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
3,029
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
3,029
2.4%
-0.5pp
Hinduism
2021 count
3,012
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
3,012
2.4%
+0.5pp
Judaism
2021 count
2,912
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
2,912
2.3%
-0.4pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
2,604
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
2,604
2.1%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+14,047
+9.9pp
Western Catholic
-1,780
-2.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-3,445
-3.7pp
Not stated
-3,593
-3.3pp
Uniting Church
-968
-1.0pp
Buddhism
+681
+0.5pp
Presbyterian
-389
-0.5pp
Hinduism
+818
+0.5pp
Judaism
-252
-0.4pp
Christianity, nfd
+352
+0.2pp
Data table
Religion for Ku-ring-gai (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 | 50,683 | 40.9% | 30.3% | 36,636 | 31.0% | 24.6% | +14,047 | +9.9pp |
| Western Catholic | 20,455 | 16.5% | 22.1% | 22,235 | 18.8% | 24.2% | -1,780 | -2.3pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 18,807 | 15.2% | 9.2% | 22,252 | 18.9% | 12.0% | -3,445 | -3.7pp |
| Not stated | 5,093 | 4.1% | 6.2% | 8,686 | 7.4% | 8.5% | -3,593 | -3.3pp |
| Uniting Church | 4,608 | 3.7% | 1.5% | 5,576 | 4.7% | 2.0% | -968 | -1.0pp |
| Buddhism | 3,793 | 3.1% | 3.8% | 3,112 | 2.6% | 3.9% | +681 | +0.5pp |
| Presbyterian | 3,029 | 2.4% | 1.5% | 3,418 | 2.9% | 1.9% | -389 | -0.5pp |
| Hinduism | 3,012 | 2.4% | 4.8% | 2,194 | 1.9% | 3.5% | +818 | +0.5pp |
| Judaism | 2,912 | 2.3% | 0.7% | 3,164 | 2.7% | 0.7% | -252 | -0.4pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 2,604 | 2.1% | 2.5% | 2,252 | 1.9% | 2.2% | +352 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 124,058 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 118,016 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +6,042 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.