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, Western Catholic was the most common religious affiliation among residents in Liverpool (C), accounting for 24.1% (56,338 people). This share was higher than Greater Sydney (22.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Islam, which increased by 10,746 people and 3.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Liverpool (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Liverpool (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Sydney and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Liverpool (C), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
Western Catholic
2021 count
56,338
% of total
24.1%
Change from 2016
-3.4pp
56,338
24.1%
-3.4pp
Islam
2021 count
35,297
% of total
15.1%
Change from 2016
+3.1pp
35,297
15.1%
+3.1pp
No Religion, so described
2021 count
31,750
% of total
13.6%
Change from 2016
+2.3pp
31,750
13.6%
+2.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
16,692
% of total
7.2%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
16,692
7.2%
-1.7pp
Buddhism
2021 count
13,410
% of total
5.7%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
13,410
5.7%
+0.2pp
Hinduism
2021 count
12,539
% of total
5.4%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
12,539
5.4%
+0.5pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
12,065
% of total
5.2%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
12,065
5.2%
-2.2pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
9,089
% of total
3.9%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
9,089
3.9%
+0.6pp
Mandaean
2021 count
6,737
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
6,737
2.9%
+0.5pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
5,812
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
5,812
2.5%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Western Catholic
+213
-3.4pp
Islam
+10,746
+3.1pp
No Religion, so described
+8,647
+2.3pp
Not stated
-1,589
-1.7pp
Buddhism
+2,141
+0.2pp
Hinduism
+2,445
+0.5pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-2,979
-2.2pp
Christianity, nfd
+2,398
+0.6pp
Mandaean
+1,778
+0.5pp
Greek Orthodox
+229
-0.2pp
Data table
Religion for Liverpool (C). 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 | |
| Western Catholic | 56,338 | 24.1% | 22.1% | 56,125 | 27.5% | 24.2% | +213 | -3.4pp |
| Islam | 35,297 | 15.1% | 6.3% | 24,551 | 12.0% | 5.3% | +10,746 | +3.1pp |
| No Religion, so described | 31,750 | 13.6% | 30.3% | 23,103 | 11.3% | 24.6% | +8,647 | +2.3pp |
| Not stated | 16,692 | 7.2% | 6.2% | 18,281 | 8.9% | 8.5% | -1,589 | -1.7pp |
| Buddhism | 13,410 | 5.7% | 3.8% | 11,269 | 5.5% | 3.9% | +2,141 | +0.2pp |
| Hinduism | 12,539 | 5.4% | 4.8% | 10,094 | 4.9% | 3.5% | +2,445 | +0.5pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 12,065 | 5.2% | 9.2% | 15,044 | 7.4% | 12.0% | -2,979 | -2.2pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 9,089 | 3.9% | 2.5% | 6,691 | 3.3% | 2.2% | +2,398 | +0.6pp |
| Mandaean | 6,737 | 2.9% | 0.2% | 4,959 | 2.4% | 0.1% | +1,778 | +0.5pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 5,812 | 2.5% | 2.3% | 5,583 | 2.7% | 2.4% | +229 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 233,431 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 204,323 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +29,108 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.