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, Western Catholic was the most common religious affiliation among residents in Mount Vernon, accounting for 57.1% (700 people). This share was higher than Penrith (C) (28.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Islam, which increased by 48 people and 3.9 percentage points.

Section overview

Religion - Ranked by size

Mount Vernon - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises religion for Mount Vernon in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Penrith (C) and change since 2016.

Religion - Ranked by size snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Mount Vernon, with comparison markers for Penrith (C).

Mount Vernon
Penrith (C)

Western Catholic

2021 count

700

% of total

57.1%

Change from 2016

-3.6pp

No Religion, so described

2021 count

110

% of total

9.0%

Change from 2016

+3.2pp

Islam

2021 count

73

% of total

6.0%

Change from 2016

+3.9pp

Anglican Church of Australia

2021 count

60

% of total

4.9%

Change from 2016

-1.2pp

Assyrian Church of the East

2021 count

57

% of total

4.6%

Change from 2016

+1.7pp

Not stated

2021 count

48

% of total

3.9%

Change from 2016

-5.4pp

Serbian Orthodox

2021 count

34

% of total

2.8%

Change from 2016

+0.8pp

Christianity, nfd

2021 count

21

% of total

1.7%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Chaldean Catholic

2021 count

20

% of total

1.6%

Change from 2016

-

Greek Orthodox

2021 count

17

% of total

1.4%

Change from 2016

-0.3pp

Data table

Religion for Mount Vernon. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Penrith (C).

Religion for Mount Vernon. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Penrith (C).
Religion for Mount Vernon. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Penrith (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Penrith (C)%Count%Penrith (C)%Countpp
Western Catholic70057.1%28.2%71460.7%31.7%-14-3.6pp
No Religion, so described1109.0%28.9%685.8%21.1%+42+3.2pp
Islam736.0%3.1%252.1%2.1%+48+3.9pp
Anglican Church of Australia604.9%13.1%726.1%18.4%-12-1.2pp
Assyrian Church of the East574.6%0.1%342.9%0.1%+23+1.7pp
Not stated483.9%7.0%1099.3%8.0%-61-5.4pp
Serbian Orthodox342.8%0.2%232.0%0.2%+11+0.8pp
Christianity, nfd211.7%2.8%191.6%2.3%+2+0.1pp
Chaldean Catholic201.6%0.1%--0.0%--
Greek Orthodox171.4%1.1%201.7%1.2%-3-0.3pp
Total1,226100.0%100.0%1,176100.0%100.0%+500.0pp

Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.