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 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.
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 Rydalmere, with comparison markers for Parramatta (C).
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Anglican Church of Australia
Islam
Not stated
Presbyterian
Christianity, nfd
Buddhism
Hinduism
Baptist
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.