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 (NSW), accounting for 39.9% (2,834 people). This share was lower than Willoughby (C) (43%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 727 people and 7.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Willoughby (NSW) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Willoughby (NSW) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Willoughby (C) and change since 2016.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Willoughby (NSW), with comparison markers for Willoughby (C).
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Anglican Church of Australia
Not stated
Buddhism
Greek Orthodox
Christianity, nfd
Hinduism
Presbyterian
Armenian Apostolic
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+727
+7.6pp
Western Catholic
-27
-2.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-89
-2.4pp
Not stated
-118
-2.3pp
Buddhism
+10
-0.1pp
Greek Orthodox
+30
+0.2pp
Christianity, nfd
+22
+0.1pp
Hinduism
+38
+0.5pp
Presbyterian
-3
-0.2pp
Armenian Apostolic
-11
-0.3pp
Data table
Religion for Willoughby (NSW). 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 | 2,834 | 39.9% | 43.0% | 2,107 | 32.3% | 36.5% | +727 | +7.6pp |
| Western Catholic | 1,814 | 25.5% | 20.2% | 1,841 | 28.2% | 21.5% | -27 | -2.7pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 812 | 11.4% | 9.5% | 901 | 13.8% | 11.5% | -89 | -2.4pp |
| Not stated | 336 | 4.7% | 5.0% | 454 | 7.0% | 8.4% | -118 | -2.3pp |
| Buddhism | 178 | 2.5% | 4.5% | 168 | 2.6% | 4.3% | +10 | -0.1pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 152 | 2.1% | 1.0% | 122 | 1.9% | 1.1% | +30 | +0.2pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 130 | 1.8% | 2.0% | 108 | 1.7% | 1.8% | +22 | +0.1pp |
| Hinduism | 119 | 1.7% | 3.6% | 81 | 1.2% | 2.8% | +38 | +0.5pp |
| Presbyterian | 110 | 1.5% | 1.9% | 113 | 1.7% | 2.5% | -3 | -0.2pp |
| Armenian Apostolic | 107 | 1.5% | 0.8% | 118 | 1.8% | 0.9% | -11 | -0.3pp |
| Total | 7,108 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,520 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +588 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.