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, Western Catholic was the most common religious affiliation among residents in Castlereagh, accounting for 40.3% (501 people). This share was higher than Penrith (C) (28.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 184 people and 13.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Castlereagh - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Castlereagh in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Penrith (C) and change since 2016.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Castlereagh, with comparison markers for Penrith (C).
Western Catholic
No Religion, so described
Anglican Church of Australia
Not stated
Christianity, nfd
Greek Orthodox
Uniting Church
Presbyterian
Islam
Buddhism
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Western Catholic
+45
+1.0pp
No Religion, so described
+184
+13.8pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-85
-8.2pp
Not stated
-53
-4.9pp
Christianity, nfd
+21
+1.6pp
Greek Orthodox
+2
0.0pp
Uniting Church
-9
-0.9pp
Presbyterian
+1
-0.1pp
Islam
+8
+0.6pp
Buddhism
-6
-0.6pp
Data table
Religion for Castlereagh. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Penrith (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Penrith (C)% | Count | % | Penrith (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Western Catholic | 501 | 40.3% | 28.2% | 456 | 39.3% | 31.7% | +45 | +1.0pp |
| No Religion, so described | 346 | 27.8% | 28.9% | 162 | 14.0% | 21.1% | +184 | +13.8pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 165 | 13.3% | 13.1% | 250 | 21.5% | 18.4% | -85 | -8.2pp |
| Not stated | 54 | 4.3% | 7.0% | 107 | 9.2% | 8.0% | -53 | -4.9pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 34 | 2.7% | 2.8% | 13 | 1.1% | 2.3% | +21 | +1.6pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 27 | 2.2% | 1.1% | 25 | 2.2% | 1.2% | +2 | 0.0pp |
| Uniting Church | 24 | 1.9% | 1.4% | 33 | 2.8% | 2.0% | -9 | -0.9pp |
| Presbyterian | 18 | 1.4% | 1.6% | 17 | 1.5% | 2.2% | +1 | -0.1pp |
| Islam | 15 | 1.2% | 3.1% | 7 | 0.6% | 2.1% | +8 | +0.6pp |
| Buddhism | 13 | 1.0% | 1.1% | 19 | 1.6% | 1.1% | -6 | -0.6pp |
| Total | 1,244 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,161 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +83 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.