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 Wollondilly (A), accounting for 31.9% (17,202 people). This share was higher than Greater Sydney (30.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 6,831 people and 10.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Wollondilly (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Wollondilly (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Sydney and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Wollondilly (A), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
17,202
% of total
31.9%
Change from 2016
+10.5pp
17,202
31.9%
+10.5pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
15,451
% of total
28.7%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
15,451
28.7%
-1.5pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
11,375
% of total
21.1%
Change from 2016
-6.4pp
11,375
21.1%
-6.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
3,001
% of total
5.6%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
3,001
5.6%
-1.2pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
1,073
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
1,073
2.0%
-1.0pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
916
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
916
1.7%
-0.4pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
751
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
751
1.4%
-0.6pp
Baptist
2021 count
634
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
634
1.2%
+0.1pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
412
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
412
0.8%
+0.1pp
Islam
2021 count
406
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
406
0.8%
+0.4pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+6,831
+10.5pp
Western Catholic
+819
-1.5pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-1,967
-6.4pp
Not stated
-299
-1.2pp
Uniting Church
-383
-1.0pp
Christianity, nfd
-104
-0.4pp
Presbyterian
-217
-0.6pp
Baptist
+120
+0.1pp
Greek Orthodox
+55
+0.1pp
Islam
+191
+0.4pp
Data table
Religion for Wollondilly (A). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Sydney.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 17,202 | 31.9% | 30.3% | 10,371 | 21.4% | 24.6% | +6,831 | +10.5pp |
| Western Catholic | 15,451 | 28.7% | 22.1% | 14,632 | 30.2% | 24.2% | +819 | -1.5pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 11,375 | 21.1% | 9.2% | 13,342 | 27.5% | 12.0% | -1,967 | -6.4pp |
| Not stated | 3,001 | 5.6% | 6.2% | 3,300 | 6.8% | 8.5% | -299 | -1.2pp |
| Uniting Church | 1,073 | 2.0% | 1.5% | 1,456 | 3.0% | 2.0% | -383 | -1.0pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 916 | 1.7% | 2.5% | 1,020 | 2.1% | 2.2% | -104 | -0.4pp |
| Presbyterian | 751 | 1.4% | 1.5% | 968 | 2.0% | 1.9% | -217 | -0.6pp |
| Baptist | 634 | 1.2% | 1.2% | 514 | 1.1% | 1.2% | +120 | +0.1pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 412 | 0.8% | 2.3% | 357 | 0.7% | 2.4% | +55 | +0.1pp |
| Islam | 406 | 0.8% | 6.3% | 215 | 0.4% | 5.3% | +191 | +0.4pp |
| Total | 53,916 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 48,499 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +5,417 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.