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 Penrith (C), accounting for 28.9% (62,961 people). This share was lower than Greater Sydney (30.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 21,627 people and 7.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Penrith (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Penrith (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Sydney and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Penrith (C), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
62,961
% of total
28.9%
Change from 2016
+7.8pp
62,961
28.9%
+7.8pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
61,384
% of total
28.2%
Change from 2016
-3.5pp
61,384
28.2%
-3.5pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
28,607
% of total
13.1%
Change from 2016
-5.3pp
28,607
13.1%
-5.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
15,264
% of total
7.0%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
15,264
7.0%
-1.0pp
Hinduism
2021 count
7,248
% of total
3.3%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
7,248
3.3%
+1.5pp
Islam
2021 count
6,656
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
6,656
3.1%
+1.0pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
6,108
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
6,108
2.8%
+0.5pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
3,504
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
3,504
1.6%
-0.6pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
3,037
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
3,037
1.4%
-0.6pp
Sikhism
2021 count
2,681
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
2,681
1.2%
+0.4pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+21,627
+7.8pp
Western Catholic
-805
-3.5pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-7,490
-5.3pp
Not stated
-428
-1.0pp
Hinduism
+3,775
+1.5pp
Islam
+2,446
+1.0pp
Christianity, nfd
+1,561
+0.5pp
Presbyterian
-773
-0.6pp
Uniting Church
-901
-0.6pp
Sikhism
+1,158
+0.4pp
Data table
Religion for Penrith (C). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Sydney.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 62,961 | 28.9% | 30.3% | 41,334 | 21.1% | 24.6% | +21,627 | +7.8pp |
| Western Catholic | 61,384 | 28.2% | 22.1% | 62,189 | 31.7% | 24.2% | -805 | -3.5pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 28,607 | 13.1% | 9.2% | 36,097 | 18.4% | 12.0% | -7,490 | -5.3pp |
| Not stated | 15,264 | 7.0% | 6.2% | 15,692 | 8.0% | 8.5% | -428 | -1.0pp |
| Hinduism | 7,248 | 3.3% | 4.8% | 3,473 | 1.8% | 3.5% | +3,775 | +1.5pp |
| Islam | 6,656 | 3.1% | 6.3% | 4,210 | 2.1% | 5.3% | +2,446 | +1.0pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 6,108 | 2.8% | 2.5% | 4,547 | 2.3% | 2.2% | +1,561 | +0.5pp |
| Presbyterian | 3,504 | 1.6% | 1.5% | 4,277 | 2.2% | 1.9% | -773 | -0.6pp |
| Uniting Church | 3,037 | 1.4% | 1.5% | 3,938 | 2.0% | 2.0% | -901 | -0.6pp |
| Sikhism | 2,681 | 1.2% | 0.7% | 1,523 | 0.8% | 0.6% | +1,158 | +0.4pp |
| Total | 217,634 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 196,037 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +21,597 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.