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 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
Western Catholic
Anglican Church of Australia
Buddhism
Not stated
Greek Orthodox
Judaism
Uniting Church
Armenian Apostolic
Christianity, nfd
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.