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 Penrith, accounting for 35.2% (6,305 people). This share was higher than Penrith (C) (28.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 2,836 people and 9.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Penrith - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Penrith 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 Penrith, with comparison markers for Penrith (C).
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Anglican Church of Australia
Not stated
Christianity, nfd
Hinduism
Islam
Presbyterian
Buddhism
Uniting Church
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+2,836
+9.1pp
Western Catholic
+431
-3.9pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-192
-5.7pp
Not stated
+675
+1.3pp
Christianity, nfd
+197
+0.4pp
Hinduism
+270
+1.0pp
Islam
+183
+0.6pp
Presbyterian
0
-0.7pp
Buddhism
+19
-0.5pp
Uniting Church
0
-0.5pp
Data table
Religion for Penrith. 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 | 6,305 | 35.2% | 28.9% | 3,469 | 26.1% | 21.1% | +2,836 | +9.1pp |
| Western Catholic | 3,695 | 20.6% | 28.2% | 3,264 | 24.5% | 31.7% | +431 | -3.9pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 2,206 | 12.3% | 13.1% | 2,398 | 18.0% | 18.4% | -192 | -5.7pp |
| Not stated | 1,983 | 11.1% | 7.0% | 1,308 | 9.8% | 8.0% | +675 | +1.3pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 553 | 3.1% | 2.8% | 356 | 2.7% | 2.3% | +197 | +0.4pp |
| Hinduism | 551 | 3.1% | 3.3% | 281 | 2.1% | 1.8% | +270 | +1.0pp |
| Islam | 408 | 2.3% | 3.1% | 225 | 1.7% | 2.1% | +183 | +0.6pp |
| Presbyterian | 329 | 1.8% | 1.6% | 329 | 2.5% | 2.2% | 0 | -0.7pp |
| Buddhism | 309 | 1.7% | 1.1% | 290 | 2.2% | 1.1% | +19 | -0.5pp |
| Uniting Church | 239 | 1.3% | 1.4% | 239 | 1.8% | 2.0% | 0 | -0.5pp |
| Total | 17,911 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 13,308 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +4,603 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.