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 Rydalmere, accounting for 29.7% (2,154 people). This share was similar to Parramatta (C) (29.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 399 people and 3.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Rydalmere - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Rydalmere in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Parramatta (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Rydalmere, with comparison markers for Parramatta (C).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
2,154
% of total
29.7%
Change from 2016
+3.3pp
2,154
29.7%
+3.3pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
1,787
% of total
24.6%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
1,787
24.6%
-2.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
480
% of total
6.6%
Change from 2016
-3.0pp
480
6.6%
-3.0pp
Islam
2021 count
457
% of total
6.3%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
457
6.3%
+1.9pp
Not stated
2021 count
447
% of total
6.2%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
447
6.2%
-0.8pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
325
% of total
4.5%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
325
4.5%
-0.2pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
260
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
260
3.6%
+1.4pp
Buddhism
2021 count
222
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
222
3.1%
-0.2pp
Hinduism
2021 count
209
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
209
2.9%
0.0pp
Baptist
2021 count
150
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
150
2.1%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+399
+3.3pp
Western Catholic
+16
-2.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-158
-3.0pp
Islam
+161
+1.9pp
Not stated
-20
-0.8pp
Presbyterian
+14
-0.2pp
Christianity, nfd
+115
+1.4pp
Buddhism
+1
-0.2pp
Hinduism
+14
0.0pp
Baptist
-4
-0.2pp
Data table
Religion for Rydalmere. 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 | 2,154 | 29.7% | 29.7% | 1,755 | 26.4% | 24.5% | +399 | +3.3pp |
| Western Catholic | 1,787 | 24.6% | 17.1% | 1,771 | 26.6% | 19.1% | +16 | -2.0pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 480 | 6.6% | 6.0% | 638 | 9.6% | 8.3% | -158 | -3.0pp |
| Islam | 457 | 6.3% | 5.5% | 296 | 4.4% | 4.3% | +161 | +1.9pp |
| Not stated | 447 | 6.2% | 6.4% | 467 | 7.0% | 9.1% | -20 | -0.8pp |
| Presbyterian | 325 | 4.5% | 3.1% | 311 | 4.7% | 3.4% | +14 | -0.2pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 260 | 3.6% | 2.7% | 145 | 2.2% | 2.3% | +115 | +1.4pp |
| Buddhism | 222 | 3.1% | 4.0% | 221 | 3.3% | 3.8% | +1 | -0.2pp |
| Hinduism | 209 | 2.9% | 12.9% | 195 | 2.9% | 11.3% | +14 | 0.0pp |
| Baptist | 150 | 2.1% | 1.8% | 154 | 2.3% | 1.9% | -4 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 7,264 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,647 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +617 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.