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 355 people, while its share fell by 4.7 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
-4.7pp
1,310
32.0%
-4.7pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
891
% of total
21.8%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
891
21.8%
+0.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
625
% of total
15.3%
Change from 2016
+5.2pp
625
15.3%
+5.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
476
% of total
11.6%
Change from 2016
+1.7pp
476
11.6%
+1.7pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
122
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
122
3.0%
+1.3pp
Islam
2021 count
121
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
121
3.0%
-1.6pp
Buddhism
2021 count
74
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
74
1.8%
-0.4pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
70
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
70
1.7%
+0.6pp
Hinduism
2021 count
57
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
57
1.4%
-1.3pp
Baptist
2021 count
46
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
46
1.1%
0.0pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+355
-4.7pp
Western Catholic
+339
+0.6pp
Not stated
+363
+5.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
+217
+1.7pp
Christianity, nfd
+77
+1.3pp
Islam
+2
-1.6pp
Buddhism
+16
-0.4pp
Presbyterian
+41
+0.6pp
Hinduism
-13
-1.3pp
Baptist
+18
0.0pp
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% | 955 | 36.7% | 21.1% | +355 | -4.7pp |
| Western Catholic | 891 | 21.8% | 28.2% | 552 | 21.2% | 31.7% | +339 | +0.6pp |
| Not stated | 625 | 15.3% | 7.0% | 262 | 10.1% | 8.0% | +363 | +5.2pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 476 | 11.6% | 13.1% | 259 | 9.9% | 18.4% | +217 | +1.7pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 122 | 3.0% | 2.8% | 45 | 1.7% | 2.3% | +77 | +1.3pp |
| Islam | 121 | 3.0% | 3.1% | 119 | 4.6% | 2.1% | +2 | -1.6pp |
| Buddhism | 74 | 1.8% | 1.1% | 58 | 2.2% | 1.1% | +16 | -0.4pp |
| Presbyterian | 70 | 1.7% | 1.6% | 29 | 1.1% | 2.2% | +41 | +0.6pp |
| Hinduism | 57 | 1.4% | 3.3% | 70 | 2.7% | 1.8% | -13 | -1.3pp |
| Baptist | 46 | 1.1% | 0.9% | 28 | 1.1% | 1.0% | +18 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 4,092 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,604 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,488 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.