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 Epping (NSW), accounting for 40.8% (12,073 people). This share was higher than Parramatta (C) (29.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 3,535 people and 4.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Epping (NSW) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Epping (NSW) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Parramatta (C) and change since 2016.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Epping (NSW), with comparison markers for Parramatta (C).
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Hinduism
Anglican Church of Australia
Buddhism
Presbyterian
Not stated
Baptist
Christianity, nfd
Islam
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+3,535
+4.8pp
Western Catholic
+46
-2.7pp
Hinduism
+1,383
+3.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-234
-2.4pp
Buddhism
+327
+0.1pp
Presbyterian
+41
-1.2pp
Not stated
-93
-1.5pp
Baptist
+127
-0.2pp
Christianity, nfd
+262
+0.4pp
Islam
+438
+1.1pp
Data table
Religion for Epping (NSW). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Parramatta (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Parramatta (C)% | Count | % | Parramatta (C)% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 12,073 | 40.8% | 29.7% | 8,538 | 36.0% | 24.5% | +3,535 | +4.8pp |
| Western Catholic | 3,567 | 12.1% | 17.1% | 3,521 | 14.8% | 19.1% | +46 | -2.7pp |
| Hinduism | 2,902 | 9.8% | 12.9% | 1,519 | 6.4% | 11.3% | +1,383 | +3.4pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 1,765 | 6.0% | 6.0% | 1,999 | 8.4% | 8.3% | -234 | -2.4pp |
| Buddhism | 1,614 | 5.5% | 4.0% | 1,287 | 5.4% | 3.8% | +327 | +0.1pp |
| Presbyterian | 1,551 | 5.2% | 3.1% | 1,510 | 6.4% | 3.4% | +41 | -1.2pp |
| Not stated | 1,377 | 4.7% | 6.4% | 1,470 | 6.2% | 9.1% | -93 | -1.5pp |
| Baptist | 895 | 3.0% | 1.8% | 768 | 3.2% | 1.9% | +127 | -0.2pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 832 | 2.8% | 2.7% | 570 | 2.4% | 2.3% | +262 | +0.4pp |
| Islam | 812 | 2.7% | 5.5% | 374 | 1.6% | 4.3% | +438 | +1.1pp |
| Total | 29,576 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 23,715 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +5,861 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.