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, 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
No Religion, so described
Anglican Church of Australia
Maronite Catholic
Islam
Greek Orthodox
Not stated
Brethren
Pentecostal, nfd
Sikhism
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.