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 Bondi Beach, accounting for 51.2% (5,893 people). This share was higher than Waverley (A) (41.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 1,090 people and 9.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Bondi Beach - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Bondi Beach in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Waverley (A) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Bondi Beach, with comparison markers for Waverley (A).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
5,893
% of total
51.2%
Change from 2016
+9.9pp
5,893
51.2%
+9.9pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
2,121
% of total
18.4%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
2,121
18.4%
-0.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
939
% of total
8.2%
Change from 2016
-8.7pp
939
8.2%
-8.7pp
Judaism
2021 count
870
% of total
7.6%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
870
7.6%
+1.1pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
694
% of total
6.0%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
694
6.0%
-0.9pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
171
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
171
1.5%
0.0pp
Buddhism
2021 count
132
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
132
1.1%
-0.3pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
123
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
123
1.1%
+0.2pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
72
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
72
0.6%
-0.2pp
Islam
2021 count
60
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
60
0.5%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+1,090
+9.9pp
Western Catholic
-74
-0.5pp
Not stated
-1,028
-8.7pp
Judaism
+108
+1.1pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-113
-0.9pp
Greek Orthodox
-9
0.0pp
Buddhism
-33
-0.3pp
Christianity, nfd
+17
+0.2pp
Presbyterian
-17
-0.2pp
Islam
+23
+0.2pp
Data table
Religion for Bondi Beach. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Waverley (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Waverley (A)% | Count | % | Waverley (A)% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 5,893 | 51.2% | 41.4% | 4,803 | 41.3% | 33.5% | +1,090 | +9.9pp |
| Western Catholic | 2,121 | 18.4% | 18.7% | 2,195 | 18.9% | 19.8% | -74 | -0.5pp |
| Not stated | 939 | 8.2% | 7.6% | 1,967 | 16.9% | 13.9% | -1,028 | -8.7pp |
| Judaism | 870 | 7.6% | 16.0% | 762 | 6.5% | 15.1% | +108 | +1.1pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 694 | 6.0% | 6.7% | 807 | 6.9% | 8.0% | -113 | -0.9pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 171 | 1.5% | 2.0% | 180 | 1.5% | 1.8% | -9 | 0.0pp |
| Buddhism | 132 | 1.1% | 1.2% | 165 | 1.4% | 1.3% | -33 | -0.3pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 123 | 1.1% | 1.0% | 106 | 0.9% | 0.9% | +17 | +0.2pp |
| Presbyterian | 72 | 0.6% | 0.7% | 89 | 0.8% | 1.0% | -17 | -0.2pp |
| Islam | 60 | 0.5% | 0.5% | 37 | 0.3% | 0.4% | +23 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 11,516 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 11,635 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -119 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.