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, accounting for 45.3% (4,705 people). This share was higher than Waverley (A) (41.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 1,093 people and 9.3 percentage points.

Section overview

Religion - Ranked by size

Bondi - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises religion for Bondi in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Waverley (A) and change since 2016.

Religion - Ranked by size snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Bondi, with comparison markers for Waverley (A).

Bondi
Waverley (A)

No Religion, so described

2021 count

4,705

% of total

45.3%

Change from 2016

+9.3pp

Western Catholic

2021 count

1,939

% of total

18.7%

Change from 2016

-2.4pp

Judaism

2021 count

1,425

% of total

13.7%

Change from 2016

+1.1pp

Not stated

2021 count

822

% of total

7.9%

Change from 2016

-6.7pp

Anglican Church of Australia

2021 count

539

% of total

5.2%

Change from 2016

-1.3pp

Greek Orthodox

2021 count

154

% of total

1.5%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Buddhism

2021 count

145

% of total

1.4%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Christianity, nfd

2021 count

107

% of total

1.0%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Presbyterian

2021 count

67

% of total

0.6%

Change from 2016

-0.3pp

Uniting Church

2021 count

64

% of total

0.6%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Data table

Religion for Bondi. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Waverley (A).

Religion for Bondi. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Waverley (A).
Religion for Bondi. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Waverley (A).
Category20212016Change
Count%Waverley (A)%Count%Waverley (A)%Countpp
No Religion, so described4,70545.3%41.4%3,61236.0%33.5%+1,093+9.3pp
Western Catholic1,93918.7%18.7%2,11821.1%19.8%-179-2.4pp
Judaism1,42513.7%16.0%1,26612.6%15.1%+159+1.1pp
Not stated8227.9%7.6%1,46214.6%13.9%-640-6.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia5395.2%6.7%6516.5%8.0%-112-1.3pp
Greek Orthodox1541.5%2.0%1481.5%1.8%+60.0pp
Buddhism1451.4%1.2%1331.3%1.3%+12+0.1pp
Christianity, nfd1071.0%1.0%940.9%0.9%+13+0.1pp
Presbyterian670.6%0.7%910.9%1.0%-24-0.3pp
Uniting Church640.6%0.6%730.7%0.8%-9-0.1pp
Total10,388100.0%100.0%10,043100.0%100.0%+3450.0pp

Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.