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, No religion was the most common religious affiliation among residents in Ryde (C), accounting for 36.7% (47,361 people). This share was higher than Greater Sydney (30.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 12,221 people and 6.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Ryde (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Ryde (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Sydney and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Ryde (C), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
47,361
% of total
36.7%
Change from 2016
+6.5pp
47,361
36.7%
+6.5pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
28,739
% of total
22.3%
Change from 2016
-2.4pp
28,739
22.3%
-2.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
8,548
% of total
6.6%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
8,548
6.6%
-2.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
7,223
% of total
5.6%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
7,223
5.6%
-2.0pp
Hinduism
2021 count
5,577
% of total
4.3%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
5,577
4.3%
+0.5pp
Buddhism
2021 count
5,427
% of total
4.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
5,427
4.2%
+0.1pp
Islam
2021 count
4,052
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
4,052
3.1%
+0.7pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
3,576
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
3,576
2.8%
+0.3pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
3,488
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
3,488
2.7%
-0.6pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
2,192
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
2,192
1.7%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+12,221
+6.5pp
Western Catholic
+44
-2.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-1,509
-2.0pp
Not stated
-1,664
-2.0pp
Hinduism
+1,106
+0.5pp
Buddhism
+686
+0.1pp
Islam
+1,309
+0.7pp
Christianity, nfd
+697
+0.3pp
Presbyterian
-403
-0.6pp
Greek Orthodox
+106
-0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Ryde (C). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Sydney.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 47,361 | 36.7% | 30.3% | 35,140 | 30.2% | 24.6% | +12,221 | +6.5pp |
| Western Catholic | 28,739 | 22.3% | 22.1% | 28,695 | 24.7% | 24.2% | +44 | -2.4pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 8,548 | 6.6% | 9.2% | 10,057 | 8.6% | 12.0% | -1,509 | -2.0pp |
| Not stated | 7,223 | 5.6% | 6.2% | 8,887 | 7.6% | 8.5% | -1,664 | -2.0pp |
| Hinduism | 5,577 | 4.3% | 4.8% | 4,471 | 3.8% | 3.5% | +1,106 | +0.5pp |
| Buddhism | 5,427 | 4.2% | 3.8% | 4,741 | 4.1% | 3.9% | +686 | +0.1pp |
| Islam | 4,052 | 3.1% | 6.3% | 2,743 | 2.4% | 5.3% | +1,309 | +0.7pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 3,576 | 2.8% | 2.5% | 2,879 | 2.5% | 2.2% | +697 | +0.3pp |
| Presbyterian | 3,488 | 2.7% | 1.5% | 3,891 | 3.3% | 1.9% | -403 | -0.6pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 2,192 | 1.7% | 2.3% | 2,086 | 1.8% | 2.4% | +106 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 129,116 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 116,312 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +12,804 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.