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 Northmead, accounting for 25.9% (2,910 people). This share was lower than Parramatta (C) (29.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 601 people and 5.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Northmead - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Northmead 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 Northmead, with comparison markers for Parramatta (C).
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Anglican Church of Australia
Hinduism
Not stated
Islam
Christianity, nfd
Uniting Church
Presbyterian
Buddhism
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+601
+5.3pp
Western Catholic
-79
-0.8pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-353
-3.2pp
Hinduism
+107
+0.9pp
Not stated
-200
-1.8pp
Islam
-9
-0.1pp
Christianity, nfd
+95
+0.8pp
Uniting Church
-111
-1.0pp
Presbyterian
-34
-0.3pp
Buddhism
-5
-0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Northmead. 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 | 2,910 | 25.9% | 29.7% | 2,309 | 20.6% | 24.5% | +601 | +5.3pp |
| Western Catholic | 2,811 | 25.0% | 17.1% | 2,890 | 25.8% | 19.1% | -79 | -0.8pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 1,174 | 10.4% | 6.0% | 1,527 | 13.6% | 8.3% | -353 | -3.2pp |
| Hinduism | 600 | 5.3% | 12.9% | 493 | 4.4% | 11.3% | +107 | +0.9pp |
| Not stated | 583 | 5.2% | 6.4% | 783 | 7.0% | 9.1% | -200 | -1.8pp |
| Islam | 518 | 4.6% | 5.5% | 527 | 4.7% | 4.3% | -9 | -0.1pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 331 | 2.9% | 2.7% | 236 | 2.1% | 2.3% | +95 | +0.8pp |
| Uniting Church | 324 | 2.9% | 1.8% | 435 | 3.9% | 2.5% | -111 | -1.0pp |
| Presbyterian | 283 | 2.5% | 3.1% | 317 | 2.8% | 3.4% | -34 | -0.3pp |
| Buddhism | 236 | 2.1% | 4.0% | 241 | 2.2% | 3.8% | -5 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 11,236 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 11,207 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +29 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.