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 Leonay, accounting for 35.7% (919 people). This share was higher than Penrith (C) (28.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 315 people and 11.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Leonay - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Leonay in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Penrith (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Leonay, with comparison markers for Penrith (C).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
919
% of total
35.7%
Change from 2016
+11.3pp
919
35.7%
+11.3pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
782
% of total
30.4%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
782
30.4%
-1.1pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
437
% of total
17.0%
Change from 2016
-6.2pp
437
17.0%
-6.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
97
% of total
3.8%
Change from 2016
-2.5pp
97
3.8%
-2.5pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
41
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
41
1.6%
-0.7pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
40
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
40
1.6%
-1.1pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
39
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
39
1.5%
-0.7pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
24
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
24
0.9%
+0.1pp
Baptist
2021 count
22
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
22
0.9%
-0.3pp
Islam
2021 count
22
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
22
0.9%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+315
+11.3pp
Western Catholic
+2
-1.1pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-138
-6.2pp
Not stated
-59
-2.5pp
Presbyterian
-17
-0.7pp
Uniting Church
-26
-1.1pp
Christianity, nfd
-15
-0.7pp
Greek Orthodox
+4
+0.1pp
Baptist
-7
-0.3pp
Islam
-4
-0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Leonay. 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 | 919 | 35.7% | 28.9% | 604 | 24.4% | 21.1% | +315 | +11.3pp |
| Western Catholic | 782 | 30.4% | 28.2% | 780 | 31.5% | 31.7% | +2 | -1.1pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 437 | 17.0% | 13.1% | 575 | 23.2% | 18.4% | -138 | -6.2pp |
| Not stated | 97 | 3.8% | 7.0% | 156 | 6.3% | 8.0% | -59 | -2.5pp |
| Presbyterian | 41 | 1.6% | 1.6% | 58 | 2.3% | 2.2% | -17 | -0.7pp |
| Uniting Church | 40 | 1.6% | 1.4% | 66 | 2.7% | 2.0% | -26 | -1.1pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 39 | 1.5% | 2.8% | 54 | 2.2% | 2.3% | -15 | -0.7pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 24 | 0.9% | 1.1% | 20 | 0.8% | 1.2% | +4 | +0.1pp |
| Baptist | 22 | 0.9% | 0.9% | 29 | 1.2% | 1.0% | -7 | -0.3pp |
| Islam | 22 | 0.9% | 3.1% | 26 | 1.0% | 2.1% | -4 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 2,575 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,477 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +98 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.