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 Para Hills, accounting for 40.7% (2,759 people). This share was higher than Salisbury (C) (37.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 569 people and 7.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Para Hills - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Para Hills in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Salisbury (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Para Hills, with comparison markers for Salisbury (C).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
2,759
% of total
40.7%
Change from 2016
+7.3pp
2,759
40.7%
+7.3pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
923
% of total
13.6%
Change from 2016
-2.4pp
923
13.6%
-2.4pp
Islam
2021 count
616
% of total
9.1%
Change from 2016
+2.8pp
616
9.1%
+2.8pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
412
% of total
6.1%
Change from 2016
-3.6pp
412
6.1%
-3.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
309
% of total
4.6%
Change from 2016
-4.6pp
309
4.6%
-4.6pp
Hinduism
2021 count
242
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
242
3.6%
+1.4pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
213
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
213
3.1%
-0.2pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
207
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
207
3.1%
-0.6pp
Sikhism
2021 count
146
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
146
2.2%
+1.5pp
Buddhism
2021 count
140
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
140
2.1%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+569
+7.3pp
Western Catholic
-128
-2.4pp
Islam
+201
+2.8pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-226
-3.6pp
Not stated
-292
-4.6pp
Hinduism
+95
+1.4pp
Christianity, nfd
-3
-0.2pp
Uniting Church
-38
-0.6pp
Sikhism
+99
+1.5pp
Buddhism
+6
+0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Para Hills. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Salisbury (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Salisbury (C)% | Count | % | Salisbury (C)% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 2,759 | 40.7% | 37.4% | 2,190 | 33.4% | 31.4% | +569 | +7.3pp |
| Western Catholic | 923 | 13.6% | 15.8% | 1,051 | 16.0% | 19.2% | -128 | -2.4pp |
| Islam | 616 | 9.1% | 7.5% | 415 | 6.3% | 4.7% | +201 | +2.8pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 412 | 6.1% | 5.6% | 638 | 9.7% | 8.9% | -226 | -3.6pp |
| Not stated | 309 | 4.6% | 5.4% | 601 | 9.2% | 7.4% | -292 | -4.6pp |
| Hinduism | 242 | 3.6% | 4.3% | 147 | 2.2% | 3.0% | +95 | +1.4pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 213 | 3.1% | 3.1% | 216 | 3.3% | 2.9% | -3 | -0.2pp |
| Uniting Church | 207 | 3.1% | 2.9% | 245 | 3.7% | 4.7% | -38 | -0.6pp |
| Sikhism | 146 | 2.2% | 2.0% | 47 | 0.7% | 0.8% | +99 | +1.5pp |
| Buddhism | 140 | 2.1% | 4.8% | 134 | 2.0% | 4.6% | +6 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 6,783 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,553 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +230 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.