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 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
2021 count
108,023
% of total
51.0%
Change from 2016
+7.8pp
108,023
51.0%
+7.8pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
31,886
% of total
15.1%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
31,886
15.1%
-0.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
17,732
% of total
8.4%
Change from 2016
-6.8pp
17,732
8.4%
-6.8pp
Buddhism
2021 count
13,819
% of total
6.5%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
13,819
6.5%
-0.5pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
10,305
% of total
4.9%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
10,305
4.9%
-0.9pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
3,854
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
3,854
1.8%
+0.2pp
Hinduism
2021 count
3,738
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
3,738
1.8%
+0.4pp
Islam
2021 count
3,483
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
3,483
1.6%
+0.2pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
3,174
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
3,174
1.5%
+0.1pp
Judaism
2021 count
2,265
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
2,265
1.1%
+0.1pp
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.