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 Orchard Hills, accounting for 44.1% (804 people). This share was higher than Penrith (C) (28.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 96 people and 5.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Orchard Hills - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Orchard Hills in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Penrith (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Orchard Hills, with comparison markers for Penrith (C).
Western Catholic
2021 count
804
% of total
44.1%
Change from 2016
-2.9pp
804
44.1%
-2.9pp
No Religion, so described
2021 count
298
% of total
16.3%
Change from 2016
+5.4pp
298
16.3%
+5.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
193
% of total
10.6%
Change from 2016
-2.7pp
193
10.6%
-2.7pp
Maronite Catholic
2021 count
66
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
66
3.6%
+1.8pp
Islam
2021 count
56
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
56
3.1%
+0.9pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
55
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
55
3.0%
-0.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
54
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
-4.4pp
54
3.0%
-4.4pp
Brethren
2021 count
44
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
44
2.4%
+1.5pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
40
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
40
2.2%
-0.9pp
Sikhism
2021 count
28
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
28
1.5%
+0.3pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Western Catholic
-68
-2.9pp
No Religion, so described
+96
+5.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-53
-2.7pp
Maronite Catholic
+32
+1.8pp
Islam
+15
+0.9pp
Greek Orthodox
-4
-0.2pp
Not stated
-84
-4.4pp
Brethren
+27
+1.5pp
Pentecostal, nfd
-17
-0.9pp
Sikhism
+5
+0.3pp
Data table
Religion for Orchard Hills. 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 | |
| Western Catholic | 804 | 44.1% | 28.2% | 872 | 47.0% | 31.7% | -68 | -2.9pp |
| No Religion, so described | 298 | 16.3% | 28.9% | 202 | 10.9% | 21.1% | +96 | +5.4pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 193 | 10.6% | 13.1% | 246 | 13.3% | 18.4% | -53 | -2.7pp |
| Maronite Catholic | 66 | 3.6% | 0.4% | 34 | 1.8% | 0.2% | +32 | +1.8pp |
| Islam | 56 | 3.1% | 3.1% | 41 | 2.2% | 2.1% | +15 | +0.9pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 55 | 3.0% | 1.1% | 59 | 3.2% | 1.2% | -4 | -0.2pp |
| Not stated | 54 | 3.0% | 7.0% | 138 | 7.4% | 8.0% | -84 | -4.4pp |
| Brethren | 44 | 2.4% | 0.2% | 17 | 0.9% | 0.2% | +27 | +1.5pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 40 | 2.2% | 1.2% | 57 | 3.1% | 1.3% | -17 | -0.9pp |
| Sikhism | 28 | 1.5% | 1.2% | 23 | 1.2% | 0.8% | +5 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 1,823 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,855 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -32 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.