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 Oxley Park, accounting for 22.7% (954 people). This share was lower than Penrith (C) (28.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 362 people and 6.2 percentage points.

Section overview

Religion - Ranked by size

Oxley Park - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises religion for Oxley Park in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Penrith (C) and change since 2016.

Religion - Ranked by size snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Oxley Park, with comparison markers for Penrith (C).

Oxley Park
Penrith (C)

Western Catholic

2021 count

954

% of total

22.7%

Change from 2016

-7.3pp

No Religion, so described

2021 count

891

% of total

21.2%

Change from 2016

+6.2pp

Islam

2021 count

424

% of total

10.1%

Change from 2016

+7.4pp

Not stated

2021 count

407

% of total

9.7%

Change from 2016

+4.1pp

Anglican Church of Australia

2021 count

340

% of total

8.1%

Change from 2016

-10.5pp

Hinduism

2021 count

243

% of total

5.8%

Change from 2016

+5.2pp

Christianity, nfd

2021 count

235

% of total

5.6%

Change from 2016

+3.6pp

Buddhism

2021 count

78

% of total

1.9%

Change from 2016

+0.6pp

Pentecostal, nfd

2021 count

78

% of total

1.9%

Change from 2016

+1.4pp

Presbyterian

2021 count

73

% of total

1.7%

Change from 2016

-0.5pp

Data table

Religion for Oxley Park. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Penrith (C).

Religion for Oxley Park. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Penrith (C).
Religion for Oxley Park. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Penrith (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Penrith (C)%Count%Penrith (C)%Countpp
Western Catholic95422.7%28.2%1,05430.0%31.7%-100-7.3pp
No Religion, so described89121.2%28.9%52915.0%21.1%+362+6.2pp
Islam42410.1%3.1%942.7%2.1%+330+7.4pp
Not stated4079.7%7.0%1975.6%8.0%+210+4.1pp
Anglican Church of Australia3408.1%13.1%65518.6%18.4%-315-10.5pp
Hinduism2435.8%3.3%220.6%1.8%+221+5.2pp
Christianity, nfd2355.6%2.8%722.0%2.3%+163+3.6pp
Buddhism781.9%1.1%441.3%1.1%+34+0.6pp
Pentecostal, nfd781.9%1.2%190.5%1.3%+59+1.4pp
Presbyterian731.7%1.6%792.2%2.2%-6-0.5pp
Total4,210100.0%100.0%3,515100.0%100.0%+6950.0pp

Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.