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 Willoughby East, accounting for 37.6% (708 people). This share was lower than Willoughby (C) (43%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 145 people and 6.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Willoughby East - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Willoughby East in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Willoughby (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Willoughby East, with comparison markers for Willoughby (C).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
708
% of total
37.6%
Change from 2016
+6.9pp
708
37.6%
+6.9pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
587
% of total
31.2%
Change from 2016
+2.0pp
587
31.2%
+2.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
244
% of total
13.0%
Change from 2016
-5.9pp
244
13.0%
-5.9pp
Buddhism
2021 count
39
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
39
2.1%
-0.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
39
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-3.3pp
39
2.1%
-3.3pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
31
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
31
1.6%
+0.3pp
Judaism
2021 count
31
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
31
1.6%
-0.2pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
28
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
28
1.5%
-0.1pp
Armenian Apostolic
2021 count
27
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
27
1.4%
0.0pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
26
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
26
1.4%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+145
+6.9pp
Western Catholic
+52
+2.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-102
-5.9pp
Buddhism
-2
-0.1pp
Not stated
-61
-3.3pp
Greek Orthodox
+8
+0.3pp
Judaism
-2
-0.2pp
Uniting Church
-1
-0.1pp
Armenian Apostolic
+1
0.0pp
Christianity, nfd
+2
+0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Willoughby East. 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 | 708 | 37.6% | 43.0% | 563 | 30.7% | 36.5% | +145 | +6.9pp |
| Western Catholic | 587 | 31.2% | 20.2% | 535 | 29.2% | 21.5% | +52 | +2.0pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 244 | 13.0% | 9.5% | 346 | 18.9% | 11.5% | -102 | -5.9pp |
| Buddhism | 39 | 2.1% | 4.5% | 41 | 2.2% | 4.3% | -2 | -0.1pp |
| Not stated | 39 | 2.1% | 5.0% | 100 | 5.4% | 8.4% | -61 | -3.3pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 31 | 1.6% | 1.0% | 23 | 1.3% | 1.1% | +8 | +0.3pp |
| Judaism | 31 | 1.6% | 1.0% | 33 | 1.8% | 1.0% | -2 | -0.2pp |
| Uniting Church | 28 | 1.5% | 1.6% | 29 | 1.6% | 2.1% | -1 | -0.1pp |
| Armenian Apostolic | 27 | 1.4% | 0.8% | 26 | 1.4% | 0.9% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 26 | 1.4% | 2.0% | 24 | 1.3% | 1.8% | +2 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 1,881 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,835 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +46 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.