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 Parramatta (C), accounting for 29.7% (76,207 people). This share was lower than Greater Sydney (30.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 20,819 people and 5.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Parramatta (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Parramatta (C) 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 Parramatta (C), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
76,207
% of total
29.7%
Change from 2016
+5.2pp
76,207
29.7%
+5.2pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
43,778
% of total
17.1%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
43,778
17.1%
-2.0pp
Hinduism
2021 count
33,204
% of total
12.9%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
33,204
12.9%
+1.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
16,492
% of total
6.4%
Change from 2016
-2.7pp
16,492
6.4%
-2.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
15,530
% of total
6.0%
Change from 2016
-2.3pp
15,530
6.0%
-2.3pp
Islam
2021 count
14,205
% of total
5.5%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
14,205
5.5%
+1.2pp
Buddhism
2021 count
10,251
% of total
4.0%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
10,251
4.0%
+0.2pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
7,833
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
7,833
3.1%
-0.3pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
6,941
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
6,941
2.7%
+0.4pp
Baptist
2021 count
4,694
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
4,694
1.8%
-0.1pp
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+20,819
+5.2pp
Western Catholic
+483
-2.0pp
Hinduism
+7,596
+1.6pp
Not stated
-4,081
-2.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-3,181
-2.3pp
Islam
+4,545
+1.2pp
Buddhism
+1,595
+0.2pp
Presbyterian
+107
-0.3pp
Christianity, nfd
+1,852
+0.4pp
Baptist
+334
-0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Parramatta (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 | |
| No Religion, so described | 76,207 | 29.7% | 30.3% | 55,388 | 24.5% | 24.6% | +20,819 | +5.2pp |
| Western Catholic | 43,778 | 17.1% | 22.1% | 43,295 | 19.1% | 24.2% | +483 | -2.0pp |
| Hinduism | 33,204 | 12.9% | 4.8% | 25,608 | 11.3% | 3.5% | +7,596 | +1.6pp |
| Not stated | 16,492 | 6.4% | 6.2% | 20,573 | 9.1% | 8.5% | -4,081 | -2.7pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 15,530 | 6.0% | 9.2% | 18,711 | 8.3% | 12.0% | -3,181 | -2.3pp |
| Islam | 14,205 | 5.5% | 6.3% | 9,660 | 4.3% | 5.3% | +4,545 | +1.2pp |
| Buddhism | 10,251 | 4.0% | 3.8% | 8,656 | 3.8% | 3.9% | +1,595 | +0.2pp |
| Presbyterian | 7,833 | 3.1% | 1.5% | 7,726 | 3.4% | 1.9% | +107 | -0.3pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 6,941 | 2.7% | 2.5% | 5,089 | 2.3% | 2.2% | +1,852 | +0.4pp |
| Baptist | 4,694 | 1.8% | 1.2% | 4,360 | 1.9% | 1.2% | +334 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 256,735 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 226,160 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +30,575 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.