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 (NSW), accounting for 40.5% (1,700 people). This share was lower than Waverley (A) (41.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 307 people and 8.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Waverley (NSW) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Waverley (NSW) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Waverley (A) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Waverley (NSW), with comparison markers for Waverley (A).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
1,700
% of total
40.5%
Change from 2016
+8.4pp
1,700
40.5%
+8.4pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
1,050
% of total
25.0%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
1,050
25.0%
+0.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
416
% of total
9.9%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
416
9.9%
-1.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
363
% of total
8.6%
Change from 2016
-8.4pp
363
8.6%
-8.4pp
Judaism
2021 count
263
% of total
6.3%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
263
6.3%
+1.9pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
83
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
83
2.0%
+0.6pp
Buddhism
2021 count
48
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
48
1.1%
-0.3pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
44
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
44
1.0%
-0.4pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
37
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
37
0.9%
-0.1pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
27
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
27
0.6%
-0.7pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+307
+8.4pp
Western Catholic
-17
+0.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-64
-1.2pp
Not stated
-376
-8.4pp
Judaism
+71
+1.9pp
Greek Orthodox
+23
+0.6pp
Buddhism
-12
-0.3pp
Christianity, nfd
-17
-0.4pp
Uniting Church
-5
-0.1pp
Presbyterian
-28
-0.7pp
Data table
Religion for Waverley (NSW). 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 | 1,700 | 40.5% | 41.4% | 1,393 | 32.1% | 33.5% | +307 | +8.4pp |
| Western Catholic | 1,050 | 25.0% | 18.7% | 1,067 | 24.6% | 19.8% | -17 | +0.4pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 416 | 9.9% | 6.7% | 480 | 11.1% | 8.0% | -64 | -1.2pp |
| Not stated | 363 | 8.6% | 7.6% | 739 | 17.0% | 13.9% | -376 | -8.4pp |
| Judaism | 263 | 6.3% | 16.0% | 192 | 4.4% | 15.1% | +71 | +1.9pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 83 | 2.0% | 2.0% | 60 | 1.4% | 1.8% | +23 | +0.6pp |
| Buddhism | 48 | 1.1% | 1.2% | 60 | 1.4% | 1.3% | -12 | -0.3pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 44 | 1.0% | 1.0% | 61 | 1.4% | 0.9% | -17 | -0.4pp |
| Uniting Church | 37 | 0.9% | 0.6% | 42 | 1.0% | 0.8% | -5 | -0.1pp |
| Presbyterian | 27 | 0.6% | 0.7% | 55 | 1.3% | 1.0% | -28 | -0.7pp |
| Total | 4,198 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,339 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -141 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.