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 Northern Beaches (A), accounting for 43.1% (113,606 people). This share was higher than Greater Sydney (30.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 28,325 people and 9.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Northern Beaches (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Northern Beaches (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Sydney and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Northern Beaches (A), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
113,606
% of total
43.1%
Change from 2016
+9.4pp
113,606
43.1%
+9.4pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
60,088
% of total
22.8%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
60,088
22.8%
-1.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
38,198
% of total
14.5%
Change from 2016
-3.3pp
38,198
14.5%
-3.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
12,311
% of total
4.7%
Change from 2016
-3.2pp
12,311
4.7%
-3.2pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
5,394
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
5,394
2.0%
-0.7pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
5,142
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
5,142
2.0%
+0.1pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
4,099
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
4,099
1.6%
-0.5pp
Buddhism
2021 count
3,634
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
3,634
1.4%
-0.1pp
Baptist
2021 count
2,282
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
2,282
0.9%
+0.1pp
Hinduism
2021 count
2,221
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
2,221
0.8%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+28,325
+9.4pp
Western Catholic
-1,133
-1.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-6,900
-3.3pp
Not stated
-7,788
-3.2pp
Uniting Church
-1,465
-0.7pp
Christianity, nfd
+367
+0.1pp
Presbyterian
-1,329
-0.5pp
Buddhism
-72
-0.1pp
Baptist
+198
+0.1pp
Hinduism
+567
+0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Northern Beaches (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 | 113,606 | 43.1% | 30.3% | 85,281 | 33.7% | 24.6% | +28,325 | +9.4pp |
| Western Catholic | 60,088 | 22.8% | 22.1% | 61,221 | 24.2% | 24.2% | -1,133 | -1.4pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 38,198 | 14.5% | 9.2% | 45,098 | 17.8% | 12.0% | -6,900 | -3.3pp |
| Not stated | 12,311 | 4.7% | 6.2% | 20,099 | 7.9% | 8.5% | -7,788 | -3.2pp |
| Uniting Church | 5,394 | 2.0% | 1.5% | 6,859 | 2.7% | 2.0% | -1,465 | -0.7pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 5,142 | 2.0% | 2.5% | 4,775 | 1.9% | 2.2% | +367 | +0.1pp |
| Presbyterian | 4,099 | 1.6% | 1.5% | 5,428 | 2.1% | 1.9% | -1,329 | -0.5pp |
| Buddhism | 3,634 | 1.4% | 3.8% | 3,706 | 1.5% | 3.9% | -72 | -0.1pp |
| Baptist | 2,282 | 0.9% | 1.2% | 2,084 | 0.8% | 1.2% | +198 | +0.1pp |
| Hinduism | 2,221 | 0.8% | 4.8% | 1,654 | 0.7% | 3.5% | +567 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 263,505 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 252,869 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +10,636 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.