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 St Clair (Penrith - NSW), accounting for 33.6% (6,695 people). This share was higher than Penrith (C) (28.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 1,542 people and 7.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
St Clair (Penrith - NSW) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for St Clair (Penrith - NSW) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Penrith (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for St Clair (Penrith - NSW), with comparison markers for Penrith (C).
Western Catholic
2021 count
6,695
% of total
33.6%
Change from 2016
-3.4pp
6,695
33.6%
-3.4pp
No Religion, so described
2021 count
4,919
% of total
24.7%
Change from 2016
+7.7pp
4,919
24.7%
+7.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
2,350
% of total
11.8%
Change from 2016
-4.5pp
2,350
11.8%
-4.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,089
% of total
5.5%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
1,089
5.5%
-1.2pp
Islam
2021 count
1,051
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
1,051
5.3%
+1.4pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
542
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
542
2.7%
+0.8pp
Hinduism
2021 count
406
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
406
2.0%
+0.5pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
360
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
360
1.8%
+0.1pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
353
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
353
1.8%
-0.6pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
286
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
286
1.4%
-0.6pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Western Catholic
-662
-3.4pp
No Religion, so described
+1,542
+7.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-900
-4.5pp
Not stated
-243
-1.2pp
Islam
+270
+1.4pp
Christianity, nfd
+156
+0.8pp
Hinduism
+114
+0.5pp
Greek Orthodox
+23
+0.1pp
Uniting Church
-119
-0.6pp
Presbyterian
-112
-0.6pp
Data table
Religion for St Clair (Penrith - NSW). 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 | 6,695 | 33.6% | 28.2% | 7,357 | 37.0% | 31.7% | -662 | -3.4pp |
| No Religion, so described | 4,919 | 24.7% | 28.9% | 3,377 | 17.0% | 21.1% | +1,542 | +7.7pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 2,350 | 11.8% | 13.1% | 3,250 | 16.3% | 18.4% | -900 | -4.5pp |
| Not stated | 1,089 | 5.5% | 7.0% | 1,332 | 6.7% | 8.0% | -243 | -1.2pp |
| Islam | 1,051 | 5.3% | 3.1% | 781 | 3.9% | 2.1% | +270 | +1.4pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 542 | 2.7% | 2.8% | 386 | 1.9% | 2.3% | +156 | +0.8pp |
| Hinduism | 406 | 2.0% | 3.3% | 292 | 1.5% | 1.8% | +114 | +0.5pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 360 | 1.8% | 1.1% | 337 | 1.7% | 1.2% | +23 | +0.1pp |
| Uniting Church | 353 | 1.8% | 1.4% | 472 | 2.4% | 2.0% | -119 | -0.6pp |
| Presbyterian | 286 | 1.4% | 1.6% | 398 | 2.0% | 2.2% | -112 | -0.6pp |
| Total | 19,937 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 19,886 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +51 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.