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 Marys (NSW), accounting for 25% (3,300 people). This share was lower than Penrith (C) (28.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 707 people and 3.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
St Marys (NSW) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for St Marys (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 Marys (NSW), with comparison markers for Penrith (C).
Western Catholic
2021 count
3,300
% of total
25.0%
Change from 2016
-3.4pp
3,300
25.0%
-3.4pp
No Religion, so described
2021 count
3,052
% of total
23.1%
Change from 2016
+3.9pp
3,052
23.1%
+3.9pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,438
% of total
10.9%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
1,438
10.9%
+0.8pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
1,248
% of total
9.4%
Change from 2016
-3.9pp
1,248
9.4%
-3.9pp
Islam
2021 count
730
% of total
5.5%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
730
5.5%
+1.2pp
Hinduism
2021 count
681
% of total
5.2%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
681
5.2%
+1.9pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
600
% of total
4.5%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
600
4.5%
+1.2pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
232
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
232
1.8%
+0.4pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
217
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
217
1.6%
-0.1pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
212
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
212
1.6%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Western Catholic
-166
-3.4pp
No Religion, so described
+707
+3.9pp
Not stated
+212
+0.8pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-375
-3.9pp
Islam
+203
+1.2pp
Hinduism
+281
+1.9pp
Christianity, nfd
+198
+1.2pp
Pentecostal, nfd
+60
+0.4pp
Greek Orthodox
+11
-0.1pp
Uniting Church
-4
-0.2pp
Data table
Religion for St Marys (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 | 3,300 | 25.0% | 28.2% | 3,466 | 28.4% | 31.7% | -166 | -3.4pp |
| No Religion, so described | 3,052 | 23.1% | 28.9% | 2,345 | 19.2% | 21.1% | +707 | +3.9pp |
| Not stated | 1,438 | 10.9% | 7.0% | 1,226 | 10.1% | 8.0% | +212 | +0.8pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 1,248 | 9.4% | 13.1% | 1,623 | 13.3% | 18.4% | -375 | -3.9pp |
| Islam | 730 | 5.5% | 3.1% | 527 | 4.3% | 2.1% | +203 | +1.2pp |
| Hinduism | 681 | 5.2% | 3.3% | 400 | 3.3% | 1.8% | +281 | +1.9pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 600 | 4.5% | 2.8% | 402 | 3.3% | 2.3% | +198 | +1.2pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 232 | 1.8% | 1.2% | 172 | 1.4% | 1.3% | +60 | +0.4pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 217 | 1.6% | 1.1% | 206 | 1.7% | 1.2% | +11 | -0.1pp |
| Uniting Church | 212 | 1.6% | 1.4% | 216 | 1.8% | 2.0% | -4 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 13,222 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 12,196 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,026 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.