Cultural diversity
Religion
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.
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.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for North St Marys, with comparison markers for Penrith (C).
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Not stated
Anglican Church of Australia
Christianity, nfd
Islam
Buddhism
Presbyterian
Hinduism
Baptist
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.