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 Emu Plains, accounting for 31.7% (2,572 people). This share was higher than Penrith (C) (28.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 1,943 people and 9.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Emu Plains - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Emu Plains in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Penrith (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Emu Plains, with comparison markers for Penrith (C).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
2,572
% of total
31.7%
Change from 2016
+9.4pp
2,572
31.7%
+9.4pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
2,170
% of total
26.7%
Change from 2016
-5.2pp
2,170
26.7%
-5.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
1,564
% of total
19.2%
Change from 2016
+14.1pp
1,564
19.2%
+14.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
423
% of total
5.2%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
423
5.2%
-1.7pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
199
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
199
2.4%
+0.4pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
185
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
185
2.3%
+0.8pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
157
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
157
1.9%
-1.8pp
Baptist
2021 count
134
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
134
1.6%
+0.7pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
118
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-3.8pp
118
1.5%
-3.8pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
99
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
99
1.2%
+0.6pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+1,943
+9.4pp
Western Catholic
+1,271
-5.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
+1,421
+14.1pp
Not stated
+230
-1.7pp
Christianity, nfd
+143
+0.4pp
Uniting Church
+142
+0.8pp
Presbyterian
+52
-1.8pp
Baptist
+108
+0.7pp
Greek Orthodox
-32
-3.8pp
Pentecostal, nfd
+81
+0.6pp
Data table
Religion for Emu Plains. 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 | |
| No Religion, so described | 2,572 | 31.7% | 28.9% | 629 | 22.3% | 21.1% | +1,943 | +9.4pp |
| Western Catholic | 2,170 | 26.7% | 28.2% | 899 | 31.9% | 31.7% | +1,271 | -5.2pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 1,564 | 19.2% | 13.1% | 143 | 5.1% | 18.4% | +1,421 | +14.1pp |
| Not stated | 423 | 5.2% | 7.0% | 193 | 6.9% | 8.0% | +230 | -1.7pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 199 | 2.4% | 2.8% | 56 | 2.0% | 2.3% | +143 | +0.4pp |
| Uniting Church | 185 | 2.3% | 1.4% | 43 | 1.5% | 2.0% | +142 | +0.8pp |
| Presbyterian | 157 | 1.9% | 1.6% | 105 | 3.7% | 2.2% | +52 | -1.8pp |
| Baptist | 134 | 1.6% | 0.9% | 26 | 0.9% | 1.0% | +108 | +0.7pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 118 | 1.5% | 1.1% | 150 | 5.3% | 1.2% | -32 | -3.8pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 99 | 1.2% | 1.2% | 18 | 0.6% | 1.3% | +81 | +0.6pp |
| Total | 8,125 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,815 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +5,310 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.