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 Sutherland Shire (A), accounting for 33.5% (77,037 people). This share was higher than Greater Sydney (30.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 24,442 people and 9.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Sutherland Shire (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Sutherland Shire (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Sydney and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Sutherland Shire (A), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
77,037
% of total
33.5%
Change from 2016
+9.4pp
77,037
33.5%
+9.4pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
62,382
% of total
27.1%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
62,382
27.1%
-2.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
37,516
% of total
16.3%
Change from 2016
-4.4pp
37,516
16.3%
-4.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
9,968
% of total
4.3%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
9,968
4.3%
-1.9pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
8,070
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
8,070
3.5%
+0.2pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
5,122
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
5,122
2.2%
-1.0pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
4,656
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
4,656
2.0%
0.0pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
3,793
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
3,793
1.6%
-0.6pp
Baptist
2021 count
3,583
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
3,583
1.6%
-0.2pp
Buddhism
2021 count
2,589
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
2,589
1.1%
0.0pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+24,442
+9.4pp
Western Catholic
-1,105
-2.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-7,652
-4.4pp
Not stated
-3,665
-1.9pp
Greek Orthodox
+908
+0.2pp
Uniting Church
-1,832
-1.0pp
Christianity, nfd
+381
0.0pp
Presbyterian
-1,054
-0.6pp
Baptist
-341
-0.2pp
Buddhism
+227
0.0pp
Data table
Religion for Sutherland Shire (A). 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 | 77,037 | 33.5% | 30.3% | 52,595 | 24.1% | 24.6% | +24,442 | +9.4pp |
| Western Catholic | 62,382 | 27.1% | 22.1% | 63,487 | 29.1% | 24.2% | -1,105 | -2.0pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 37,516 | 16.3% | 9.2% | 45,168 | 20.7% | 12.0% | -7,652 | -4.4pp |
| Not stated | 9,968 | 4.3% | 6.2% | 13,633 | 6.2% | 8.5% | -3,665 | -1.9pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 8,070 | 3.5% | 2.3% | 7,162 | 3.3% | 2.4% | +908 | +0.2pp |
| Uniting Church | 5,122 | 2.2% | 1.5% | 6,954 | 3.2% | 2.0% | -1,832 | -1.0pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 4,656 | 2.0% | 2.5% | 4,275 | 2.0% | 2.2% | +381 | 0.0pp |
| Presbyterian | 3,793 | 1.6% | 1.5% | 4,847 | 2.2% | 1.9% | -1,054 | -0.6pp |
| Baptist | 3,583 | 1.6% | 1.2% | 3,924 | 1.8% | 1.2% | -341 | -0.2pp |
| Buddhism | 2,589 | 1.1% | 3.8% | 2,362 | 1.1% | 3.9% | +227 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 230,221 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 218,448 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +11,773 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.