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, No religion was the most common religious affiliation among residents in Sydney (C), accounting for 51% (108,023 people). This share was higher than Greater Sydney (30.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 18,007 people and 7.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Sydney (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Sydney (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Sydney and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Sydney (C), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Not stated
Buddhism
Anglican Church of Australia
Christianity, nfd
Hinduism
Islam
Greek Orthodox
Judaism
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+18,007
+7.8pp
Western Catholic
-10
-0.2pp
Not stated
-13,968
-6.8pp
Buddhism
-853
-0.5pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-1,793
-0.9pp
Christianity, nfd
+563
+0.2pp
Hinduism
+858
+0.4pp
Islam
+622
+0.2pp
Greek Orthodox
+157
+0.1pp
Judaism
+274
+0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Sydney (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 | 108,023 | 51.0% | 30.3% | 90,016 | 43.2% | 24.6% | +18,007 | +7.8pp |
| Western Catholic | 31,886 | 15.1% | 22.1% | 31,896 | 15.3% | 24.2% | -10 | -0.2pp |
| Not stated | 17,732 | 8.4% | 6.2% | 31,700 | 15.2% | 8.5% | -13,968 | -6.8pp |
| Buddhism | 13,819 | 6.5% | 3.8% | 14,672 | 7.0% | 3.9% | -853 | -0.5pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 10,305 | 4.9% | 9.2% | 12,098 | 5.8% | 12.0% | -1,793 | -0.9pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 3,854 | 1.8% | 2.5% | 3,291 | 1.6% | 2.2% | +563 | +0.2pp |
| Hinduism | 3,738 | 1.8% | 4.8% | 2,880 | 1.4% | 3.5% | +858 | +0.4pp |
| Islam | 3,483 | 1.6% | 6.3% | 2,861 | 1.4% | 5.3% | +622 | +0.2pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 3,174 | 1.5% | 2.3% | 3,017 | 1.4% | 2.4% | +157 | +0.1pp |
| Judaism | 2,265 | 1.1% | 0.7% | 1,991 | 1.0% | 0.7% | +274 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 211,637 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 208,340 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +3,297 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.