Cultural diversity
Religion
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.
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, accounting for 47.1% (12,015 people). This share was higher than Willoughby (C) (43%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 1,417 people and 4.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Chatswood - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Chatswood in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Willoughby (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Chatswood, with comparison markers for Willoughby (C).
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Buddhism
Not stated
Anglican Church of Australia
Hinduism
Presbyterian
Christianity, nfd
Baptist
Uniting Church
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+1,417
+4.5pp
Western Catholic
+87
0.0pp
Buddhism
+101
+0.2pp
Not stated
-733
-3.1pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-314
-1.4pp
Hinduism
+373
+1.3pp
Presbyterian
-226
-1.0pp
Christianity, nfd
+82
+0.3pp
Baptist
+24
+0.1pp
Uniting Church
-81
-0.3pp
Data table
Religion for Chatswood. 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 | 12,015 | 47.1% | 43.0% | 10,598 | 42.6% | 36.5% | +1,417 | +4.5pp |
| Western Catholic | 4,023 | 15.8% | 20.2% | 3,936 | 15.8% | 21.5% | +87 | 0.0pp |
| Buddhism | 1,824 | 7.1% | 4.5% | 1,723 | 6.9% | 4.3% | +101 | +0.2pp |
| Not stated | 1,507 | 5.9% | 5.0% | 2,240 | 9.0% | 8.4% | -733 | -3.1pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 1,313 | 5.1% | 9.5% | 1,627 | 6.5% | 11.5% | -314 | -1.4pp |
| Hinduism | 1,211 | 4.7% | 3.6% | 838 | 3.4% | 2.8% | +373 | +1.3pp |
| Presbyterian | 646 | 2.5% | 1.9% | 872 | 3.5% | 2.5% | -226 | -1.0pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 639 | 2.5% | 2.0% | 557 | 2.2% | 1.8% | +82 | +0.3pp |
| Baptist | 396 | 1.6% | 1.0% | 372 | 1.5% | 0.9% | +24 | +0.1pp |
| Uniting Church | 372 | 1.5% | 1.6% | 453 | 1.8% | 2.1% | -81 | -0.3pp |
| Total | 25,523 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 24,886 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +637 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.