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 Chatswood West (part), accounting for 46.5% (701 people). This share was higher than Willoughby (C) (43%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which decreased by 9,897 people, while its share rose by 3.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Chatswood West (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Chatswood West (part) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Willoughby (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Chatswood West (part), with comparison markers for Willoughby (C).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
701
% of total
46.5%
Change from 2016
+3.9pp
701
46.5%
+3.9pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
310
% of total
20.5%
Change from 2016
+4.7pp
310
20.5%
+4.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
165
% of total
10.9%
Change from 2016
+4.4pp
165
10.9%
+4.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
48
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
-5.8pp
48
3.2%
-5.8pp
Buddhism
2021 count
41
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
-4.2pp
41
2.7%
-4.2pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
37
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
37
2.5%
-1.0pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
36
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
36
2.4%
+0.2pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
27
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
27
1.8%
0.0pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
23
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
23
1.5%
+0.9pp
Baptist
2021 count
19
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
19
1.3%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
-9,897
+3.9pp
Western Catholic
-3,626
+4.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-1,462
+4.4pp
Not stated
-2,192
-5.8pp
Buddhism
-1,682
-4.2pp
Presbyterian
-835
-1.0pp
Christianity, nfd
-521
+0.2pp
Uniting Church
-426
0.0pp
Greek Orthodox
-127
+0.9pp
Baptist
-353
-0.2pp
Data table
Religion for Chatswood West (part). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Willoughby (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Willoughby (C)% | Count | % | Willoughby (C)% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 701 | 46.5% | 43.0% | 10,598 | 42.6% | 36.5% | -9,897 | +3.9pp |
| Western Catholic | 310 | 20.5% | 20.2% | 3,936 | 15.8% | 21.5% | -3,626 | +4.7pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 165 | 10.9% | 9.5% | 1,627 | 6.5% | 11.5% | -1,462 | +4.4pp |
| Not stated | 48 | 3.2% | 5.0% | 2,240 | 9.0% | 8.4% | -2,192 | -5.8pp |
| Buddhism | 41 | 2.7% | 4.5% | 1,723 | 6.9% | 4.3% | -1,682 | -4.2pp |
| Presbyterian | 37 | 2.5% | 1.9% | 872 | 3.5% | 2.5% | -835 | -1.0pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 36 | 2.4% | 2.0% | 557 | 2.2% | 1.8% | -521 | +0.2pp |
| Uniting Church | 27 | 1.8% | 1.6% | 453 | 1.8% | 2.1% | -426 | 0.0pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 23 | 1.5% | 1.0% | 150 | 0.6% | 1.1% | -127 | +0.9pp |
| Baptist | 19 | 1.3% | 1.0% | 372 | 1.5% | 0.9% | -353 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 1,509 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 24,886 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -23,377 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.