Cultural diversity
Religion
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.
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.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Northern Beaches (A), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Anglican Church of Australia
Not stated
Uniting Church
Christianity, nfd
Presbyterian
Buddhism
Baptist
Hinduism
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.