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 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.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for St Marys (NSW), with comparison markers for Penrith (C).
Western Catholic
No Religion, so described
Not stated
Anglican Church of Australia
Islam
Hinduism
Christianity, nfd
Pentecostal, nfd
Greek Orthodox
Uniting Church
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.