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 Waverley (A), accounting for 41.4% (28,380 people). This share was higher than Greater Sydney (30.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 6,032 people and 7.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Waverley (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Waverley (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Sydney and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Waverley (A), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
28,380
% of total
41.4%
Change from 2016
+7.9pp
28,380
41.4%
+7.9pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
12,850
% of total
18.7%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
12,850
18.7%
-1.1pp
Judaism
2021 count
11,009
% of total
16.0%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
11,009
16.0%
+0.9pp
Not stated
2021 count
5,183
% of total
7.6%
Change from 2016
-6.3pp
5,183
7.6%
-6.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
4,601
% of total
6.7%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
4,601
6.7%
-1.3pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
1,391
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
1,391
2.0%
+0.2pp
Buddhism
2021 count
827
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
827
1.2%
-0.1pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
668
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
668
1.0%
+0.1pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
492
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
492
0.7%
-0.3pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
430
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
430
0.6%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+6,032
+7.9pp
Western Catholic
-402
-1.1pp
Judaism
+935
+0.9pp
Not stated
-4,088
-6.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-713
-1.3pp
Greek Orthodox
+169
+0.2pp
Buddhism
-44
-0.1pp
Christianity, nfd
+38
+0.1pp
Presbyterian
-204
-0.3pp
Uniting Church
-93
-0.2pp
Data table
Religion for Waverley (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 | 28,380 | 41.4% | 30.3% | 22,348 | 33.5% | 24.6% | +6,032 | +7.9pp |
| Western Catholic | 12,850 | 18.7% | 22.1% | 13,252 | 19.8% | 24.2% | -402 | -1.1pp |
| Judaism | 11,009 | 16.0% | 0.7% | 10,074 | 15.1% | 0.7% | +935 | +0.9pp |
| Not stated | 5,183 | 7.6% | 6.2% | 9,271 | 13.9% | 8.5% | -4,088 | -6.3pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 4,601 | 6.7% | 9.2% | 5,314 | 8.0% | 12.0% | -713 | -1.3pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 1,391 | 2.0% | 2.3% | 1,222 | 1.8% | 2.4% | +169 | +0.2pp |
| Buddhism | 827 | 1.2% | 3.8% | 871 | 1.3% | 3.9% | -44 | -0.1pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 668 | 1.0% | 2.5% | 630 | 0.9% | 2.2% | +38 | +0.1pp |
| Presbyterian | 492 | 0.7% | 1.5% | 696 | 1.0% | 1.9% | -204 | -0.3pp |
| Uniting Church | 430 | 0.6% | 1.5% | 523 | 0.8% | 2.0% | -93 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 68,596 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 66,796 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,800 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.