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