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, Hinduism was the most common religious affiliation among residents in Parramatta, accounting for 33.6% (10,155 people). This share was higher than Parramatta (C) (12.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Hinduism, which increased by 2,826 people and 5.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Parramatta - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Parramatta in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Parramatta (C) and change since 2016.
This area boundary has changed from 2016 to 2021. As a result, 2016 values are mapped onto 2021 suburb boundaries using ABS concordance.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Parramatta, with comparison markers for Parramatta (C).
Hinduism
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Not stated
Islam
Buddhism
Anglican Church of Australia
Christianity, nfd
Sikhism
Maronite Catholic
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Hinduism
+2,826
+5.1pp
No Religion, so described
+1,029
+0.2pp
Western Catholic
+304
-0.7pp
Not stated
-572
-3.6pp
Islam
+665
+1.2pp
Buddhism
+198
+0.1pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-169
-1.1pp
Christianity, nfd
+159
+0.2pp
Sikhism
-132
-0.8pp
Maronite Catholic
+68
0.0pp
Data table
Religion for Parramatta. 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 | |
| Hinduism | 10,155 | 33.6% | 12.9% | 7,329 | 28.5% | 11.3% | +2,826 | +5.1pp |
| No Religion, so described | 6,525 | 21.6% | 29.7% | 5,496 | 21.4% | 24.5% | +1,029 | +0.2pp |
| Western Catholic | 3,151 | 10.4% | 17.1% | 2,847 | 11.1% | 19.1% | +304 | -0.7pp |
| Not stated | 2,335 | 7.7% | 6.4% | 2,907 | 11.3% | 9.1% | -572 | -3.6pp |
| Islam | 2,274 | 7.5% | 5.5% | 1,609 | 6.3% | 4.3% | +665 | +1.2pp |
| Buddhism | 1,262 | 4.2% | 4.0% | 1,064 | 4.1% | 3.8% | +198 | +0.1pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 771 | 2.6% | 6.0% | 940 | 3.7% | 8.3% | -169 | -1.1pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 612 | 2.0% | 2.7% | 453 | 1.8% | 2.3% | +159 | +0.2pp |
| Sikhism | 480 | 1.6% | 1.0% | 612 | 2.4% | 1.2% | -132 | -0.8pp |
| Maronite Catholic | 455 | 1.5% | 1.7% | 387 | 1.5% | 1.6% | +68 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 30,193 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 25,725 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +4,468 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.