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
Western Catholic
Anglican Church of Australia
Not stated
Presbyterian
Uniting Church
Christianity, nfd
Greek Orthodox
Baptist
Islam
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.