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 North St Marys, accounting for 32% (1,310 people). This share was higher than Penrith (C) (28.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 376 people and 8 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
North St Marys - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for North St Marys in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Penrith (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for North St Marys, with comparison markers for Penrith (C).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
1,310
% of total
32.0%
Change from 2016
+8.0pp
1,310
32.0%
+8.0pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
891
% of total
21.8%
Change from 2016
-6.9pp
891
21.8%
-6.9pp
Not stated
2021 count
625
% of total
15.3%
Change from 2016
+5.9pp
625
15.3%
+5.9pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
476
% of total
11.6%
Change from 2016
-5.8pp
476
11.6%
-5.8pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
122
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
122
3.0%
0.0pp
Islam
2021 count
121
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
121
3.0%
+1.2pp
Buddhism
2021 count
74
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
74
1.8%
+0.5pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
70
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
70
1.7%
-1.0pp
Hinduism
2021 count
57
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
57
1.4%
+0.3pp
Baptist
2021 count
46
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
46
1.1%
+0.3pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+376
+8.0pp
Western Catholic
-225
-6.9pp
Not stated
+258
+5.9pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-203
-5.8pp
Christianity, nfd
+5
0.0pp
Islam
+49
+1.2pp
Buddhism
+24
+0.5pp
Presbyterian
-34
-1.0pp
Hinduism
+13
+0.3pp
Baptist
+14
+0.3pp
Data table
Religion for North St Marys. 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 | 1,310 | 32.0% | 28.9% | 934 | 24.0% | 21.1% | +376 | +8.0pp |
| Western Catholic | 891 | 21.8% | 28.2% | 1,116 | 28.7% | 31.7% | -225 | -6.9pp |
| Not stated | 625 | 15.3% | 7.0% | 367 | 9.4% | 8.0% | +258 | +5.9pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 476 | 11.6% | 13.1% | 679 | 17.4% | 18.4% | -203 | -5.8pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 122 | 3.0% | 2.8% | 117 | 3.0% | 2.3% | +5 | 0.0pp |
| Islam | 121 | 3.0% | 3.1% | 72 | 1.8% | 2.1% | +49 | +1.2pp |
| Buddhism | 74 | 1.8% | 1.1% | 50 | 1.3% | 1.1% | +24 | +0.5pp |
| Presbyterian | 70 | 1.7% | 1.6% | 104 | 2.7% | 2.2% | -34 | -1.0pp |
| Hinduism | 57 | 1.4% | 3.3% | 44 | 1.1% | 1.8% | +13 | +0.3pp |
| Baptist | 46 | 1.1% | 0.9% | 32 | 0.8% | 1.0% | +14 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 4,092 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,895 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +197 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.