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 The Hills Shire (A), accounting for 26.7% (51,258 people). This share was lower than Greater Sydney (30.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 17,915 people and 5.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
The Hills Shire (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for The Hills 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 The Hills Shire (A), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
51,258
% of total
26.7%
Change from 2016
+5.5pp
51,258
26.7%
+5.5pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
46,831
% of total
24.4%
Change from 2016
-3.6pp
46,831
24.4%
-3.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
20,892
% of total
10.9%
Change from 2016
-4.0pp
20,892
10.9%
-4.0pp
Hinduism
2021 count
15,064
% of total
7.9%
Change from 2016
+3.4pp
15,064
7.9%
+3.4pp
Islam
2021 count
8,504
% of total
4.4%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
8,504
4.4%
+1.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
7,143
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
7,143
3.7%
-2.0pp
Buddhism
2021 count
5,918
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
5,918
3.1%
+0.2pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
5,229
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
5,229
2.7%
+0.4pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
3,964
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
3,964
2.1%
-0.8pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
3,836
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
3,836
2.0%
-0.5pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+17,915
+5.5pp
Western Catholic
+2,795
-3.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-2,597
-4.0pp
Hinduism
+8,001
+3.4pp
Islam
+4,459
+1.8pp
Not stated
-1,747
-2.0pp
Buddhism
+1,346
+0.2pp
Christianity, nfd
+1,618
+0.4pp
Uniting Church
-635
-0.8pp
Presbyterian
-154
-0.5pp
Data table
Religion for The Hills 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 | 51,258 | 26.7% | 30.3% | 33,343 | 21.2% | 24.6% | +17,915 | +5.5pp |
| Western Catholic | 46,831 | 24.4% | 22.1% | 44,036 | 28.0% | 24.2% | +2,795 | -3.6pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 20,892 | 10.9% | 9.2% | 23,489 | 14.9% | 12.0% | -2,597 | -4.0pp |
| Hinduism | 15,064 | 7.9% | 4.8% | 7,063 | 4.5% | 3.5% | +8,001 | +3.4pp |
| Islam | 8,504 | 4.4% | 6.3% | 4,045 | 2.6% | 5.3% | +4,459 | +1.8pp |
| Not stated | 7,143 | 3.7% | 6.2% | 8,890 | 5.7% | 8.5% | -1,747 | -2.0pp |
| Buddhism | 5,918 | 3.1% | 3.8% | 4,572 | 2.9% | 3.9% | +1,346 | +0.2pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 5,229 | 2.7% | 2.5% | 3,611 | 2.3% | 2.2% | +1,618 | +0.4pp |
| Uniting Church | 3,964 | 2.1% | 1.5% | 4,599 | 2.9% | 2.0% | -635 | -0.8pp |
| Presbyterian | 3,836 | 2.0% | 1.5% | 3,990 | 2.5% | 1.9% | -154 | -0.5pp |
| Total | 191,844 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 157,238 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +34,606 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.