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 North Sydney (A), accounting for 45.6% (31,437 people). This share was higher than Greater Sydney (30.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 6,207 people and 8.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
North Sydney (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for North Sydney (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Sydney and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for North Sydney (A), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
31,437
% of total
45.6%
Change from 2016
+8.3pp
31,437
45.6%
+8.3pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
14,013
% of total
20.3%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
14,013
20.3%
-1.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
7,500
% of total
10.9%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
7,500
10.9%
-2.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
4,081
% of total
5.9%
Change from 2016
-5.3pp
4,081
5.9%
-5.3pp
Buddhism
2021 count
1,806
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
1,806
2.6%
-0.1pp
Hinduism
2021 count
1,796
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
1,796
2.6%
+0.3pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
1,121
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
1,121
1.6%
+0.2pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
1,086
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
1,086
1.6%
-0.3pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
1,034
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
1,034
1.5%
-0.3pp
Judaism
2021 count
704
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
704
1.0%
0.0pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+6,207
+8.3pp
Western Catholic
-399
-1.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-1,261
-2.1pp
Not stated
-3,521
-5.3pp
Buddhism
-51
-0.1pp
Hinduism
+241
+0.3pp
Christianity, nfd
+156
+0.2pp
Uniting Church
-195
-0.3pp
Presbyterian
-202
-0.3pp
Judaism
+57
0.0pp
Data table
Religion for North Sydney (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 | 31,437 | 45.6% | 30.3% | 25,230 | 37.3% | 24.6% | +6,207 | +8.3pp |
| Western Catholic | 14,013 | 20.3% | 22.1% | 14,412 | 21.3% | 24.2% | -399 | -1.0pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 7,500 | 10.9% | 9.2% | 8,761 | 13.0% | 12.0% | -1,261 | -2.1pp |
| Not stated | 4,081 | 5.9% | 6.2% | 7,602 | 11.2% | 8.5% | -3,521 | -5.3pp |
| Buddhism | 1,806 | 2.6% | 3.8% | 1,857 | 2.7% | 3.9% | -51 | -0.1pp |
| Hinduism | 1,796 | 2.6% | 4.8% | 1,555 | 2.3% | 3.5% | +241 | +0.3pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 1,121 | 1.6% | 2.5% | 965 | 1.4% | 2.2% | +156 | +0.2pp |
| Uniting Church | 1,086 | 1.6% | 1.5% | 1,281 | 1.9% | 2.0% | -195 | -0.3pp |
| Presbyterian | 1,034 | 1.5% | 1.5% | 1,236 | 1.8% | 1.9% | -202 | -0.3pp |
| Judaism | 704 | 1.0% | 0.7% | 647 | 1.0% | 0.7% | +57 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 68,940 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 67,634 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,306 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.