Religious affiliation in Greater Western Sydney, 2016 By Amy Lawton, Social Research and Information Officer, WESTIR Limited

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1 Introduction Religious affiliation in Greater Western Sydney, 2016 By Amy Lawton, Social Research and Information Officer, WESTIR Limited The recent release of the 2016 Census has generated much discussion among media outlets, particularly on the topic of religious affiliation. For the first time ever, there were more responses to no religion than any actual religion. In other words, when not stated responses are excluded, a total of 30.1% of the national population self-identified as having no religion, outnumbering Catholics at 22.6%. Overall, the national response to the no religion has increased by 46.9% between 2006 and 2016 (Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2017). The ABS Census question on religion asks Australians to identify their religion through the question, What is the person s religion?. The ABS Census is the only reliable source of data on religious affiliation in Australia, but it is also an optional question on the Census form. In the 2016 Census, the ABS made an important change to the religion question on the Census form by placing the option for no religion at the top of the answers. The change in the order of responses was undertaken based on trends in how people have answered the religion question in the Census over time. While the reasons for Australians identifying less with religion are largely speculative, Renae Barker of ABC Religion and Ethics Opinion (2017) highlights that: Focusing on this number [the rise of no religion ] without further investigating the story it tells, along with the rest of the Census data, is overly simplistic. It misses the rich and complex relationship we as Australians have with religion and non-belief Calls for a more secular Australia ignore the fact that the majority of Australians are still religious. We may not shout it from the roof tops but for many it is still an important part of our lives The nones [are increasing but] they are not the majority, nor are they the largest single religious group, contrary to what many of the headlines have claimed. A recent study by McCrindle et al (2017) called Faith and Belief in Australia also suggests that the relationship between religion and belief among Australians is multifaceted. The study, which surveyed over 1,000 Australians, reveals that some people who claim to have no religion [in the Census], still consider themselves spiritual, believing in a higher being, principle or power, or have some element of spirituality. Barker (2017) also adds that the Census tells how people self-identify but tells us nothing about how religious (or irreligious) a person is for example, not all those who identified as Christian would regularly attend church, while many people who chose "no religion" in 2016 may well have interacted with organised religion in the past, or may do so in the future. Overall, the Census results remind us of the role of belief (and unbelief) in Australia, particularly at a time where religious viewpoints may influence current legal and policy issues such as same-sex marriage, terrorism, migration and abortion. Nationally, the 2016 Census shows that Christianity is still Australia s most common religion (52.1% of the population), followed by Islam (2.6%), Buddhism (2.4%) and Hinduism (1.9%). Young adults (18 years to 34 years) were more likely to choose no religion (39.4%) than any other adult age groups. In a comparison of states, New South Wales had the highest religious affiliation (65.3%) and Tasmania had the lowest (52.0%). For more information national figures, please see Religion in Australia 2016 Census Data Summary on the ABS website. Regionally, Greater Western Sydney (GWS) is an area of growing national importance and has one of the fastest growing populations in Australia. It is also a region of increasing cultural and linguistic diversity, which is often associated with religious affiliation. 1

2 Aim of this paper The aim of this paper is to explore the religious affiliation of the GWS community, including the prevalence of secularism/no religion and religious affiliation not stated in the area. Definitions in this report Religious categories The general snapshot of religion in GWS will compare the following categories: Christianity, other religions and no religion. Where relevant, the category not stated or inadequately described will also be provided. Christianity includes the total number of Christian denominations, including Catholic, Anglican and other smaller Christian groups. Other religions include Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Sikhism and other religious groups. Other religious groups comprise of Australian Aboriginal Traditional Religions, Baha'i, Chinese Religions, Druse, Japanese Religions, Nature Religions, Spiritualism and Miscellaneous Religions. No religion includes secular and other spiritual beliefs such as Agnosticism, Atheism, Humanism, Rationalism, New Age, Theism, Pantheism and Unitarian. The general snapshot is followed by a more detailed discussion of religious affiliation in GWS. Regions GWS is made up of the following 13 local government areas (LGAs): Blacktown Blue Mountains Camden Campbelltown Canterbury Bankstown Cumberland Fairfield Hawkesbury Liverpool Parramatta Penrith The Hills Shire Wollondilly This paper also covers two additional LGAs, Lithgow and Wingecarribee, but are not included in GWS totals. GWS is also compared with data for Greater Sydney, Rest of Sydney, FACS Western Sydney district, FACS South Western Sydney district and New South Wales (NSW): Greater Sydney and NSW are compiled from ABS boundaries. Rest of Sydney is calculated by subtracting the totals of Greater Sydney with the totals of GWS. FACS Western Sydney (FACS WS) is made up of Blacktown, Blue Mountains, Cumberland, Hawkesbury, Lithgow, Parramatta, Penrith and The Hills Shire LGAs. FACS South Western Sydney (FACS SWS) is made up of Camden, Campbelltown, Canterbury Bankstown, Fairfield, Liverpool, Wingecarribee and Wollondilly LGAs. All data tables are based on place of usual residence, unless otherwise stated. 2

3 Other religions Christianity Snapshot: Religious affiliation in Greater Western Sydney Type of religious affiliation In 2016, just over 2.1 million people in Greater Western Sydney (GWS) answered the religion question in the Census. A total of 186,981 people did not state a religion, equating to 8.1% of the GWS population. Table 1 and Chart 1 shows the religious affiliation of the GWS community in Christianity was the most common religion reported (53.4% of the population), followed by Islam (9.1%), Hinduism (4.9%) and Buddhism (4.8%). A total of 474,134 people or 20.6% of the GWS population identified with religions other than Christianity. A total of 412,886 people or 17.9% of the GWS population stated that they had no religion in Overall, the GWS community had a higher rate of affiliation with religion and a lower rate of no religion than Greater Sydney, Rest of Sydney and NSW. Religious Affiliation Table 1: Religious affiliation in GWS, 2016 Greater Western Sydney FACS WS District FACS SWS District Greater Sydney Rest of Sydney Number % % % % % % Catholic 622, % 26.5% 27.3% 25.1% 23.5% 24.7% Anglican 248, % 12.2% 10.0% 12.0% 13.2% 15.5% Other Christian 361, % 14.9% 16.6% 14.6% 13.5% 15.0% Total Christianity 1,233, % 53.6% 53.9% 51.7% 50.2% 55.2% Islam 210, % 6.8% 11.3% 5.3% 1.7% 3.6% Hinduism 113, % 6.7% 2.5% 3.5% 2.3% 2.4% NSW Buddhism 110, % 2.5% 7.3% 3.9% 3.0% 2.8% Sikhism 22, % 1.5% 0.3% 0.6% 0.2% 0.4% Judaism 1, % 0.1% 0.0% 0.7% 1.3% 0.5% Other religious groups 15, % 0.5% 0.9% 0.5% 0.3% 0.5% Total other religions 474, % 18.1% 22.3% 14.5% 8.8% 10.2% No religion Not stated 412, % 20.3% 15.6% 25.0% 31.6% 25.5% 186, % 8.1% 8.2% 8.8% 9.5% 9.2% Total 2,307, % 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% Please note that there are small random adjustments made to all cell values to protect the confidentiality of data. These adjustments may cause the sum of rows or columns to differ by small amounts from table totals. (Source: ABS 2017a, Table 12a) 3

4 Chart 1: Religious affiliation in GWS, 2016 (Source: ABS 2017a, Table 12a) Changes over time The religious makeup of GWS has changed over a five to ten-year period (See Table 2 and Chart 2). The proportion of people in GWS identifying with Christianity has declined, from 65.5% of the population in 2006 to 53.4% in Conversely, the proportion of people in GWS identifying with religions other than Christianity has increased, from 14.8% of the population in 2006 to 20.6% in The proportion of people in GWS identifying with no religion has also increased, from 10.6% of the population in 2006 to 17.9% in The proportion of people not stating a religion has fluctuated over this period, but has generally increased. As a whole, those identifying with Christianity in GWS has decreased by 2.9% in a ten-year period. Those identifying with religions other than Christianity in GWS has increased by 65.1% in a ten-year period. Finally, those identifying with no religion has increased by 100.7% in a ten-year period. Overall, religious affiliation in GWS has largely reflected regional and state trends. However, in the last ten years, Christianity in GWS has decreased at a lower rate, other religions in GWS have increased at a higher rate, and no religion in GWS has increased at a lower rate when compared to Greater Sydney, Rest of Sydney and NSW. Table 2: Changes over time in religious affiliation in GWS, Years year change ( ) 10 year change ( ) Religious affiliation % (number) % (number) % (number) Christianity Other religions No religion Not stated Total 65.5% 62.2% 53.4% -4.7% -2.9% 1,270,049 1,293,453 1,233,145-60,308-36, % 18.2% 20.6% 25.1% 65.2% 287, , ,134 94, , % 12.4% 17.9% 59.6% 100.7% 205, , , , , % 7.2% 8.1% 25.0% 6.8% 175, , ,981 37,541 11, % 100% 100% 10.9% 19.1% 1,937,990 2,080,757 2,307, , ,193 Please note that there are small random adjustments made to all cell values to protect the confidentiality of data. These adjustments may cause the sum of rows or columns to differ by small amounts from table totals. (Source: ABS 2017a, Table 12a,12b,12c) 4

5 Chart 2: Changes over time in religious affiliation in GWS, Other religions (Source: ABS 2017a, Table 12a,12b,12c) In the last ten years, the proportion of people in GWS reporting a religion other than Christianity in the Census has increased from 14.8% of the population in 2006 to 20.6% in Although increases occurred across most of the non-christian religions, the greatest proportional growth could be seen in Sikhism (an increase of 202% since 2006) and Hinduism (an increase of 148.2% since 2006) (See Table 3 and Chart 3). Overall, trends in identifying with non-christian religions in GWS have largely reflected regional and state figures. However, in the last ten years, Buddhism has increased at a lower rate and Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism and other religious groups have increased at a higher rate when compared to Greater Sydney, Rest of Sydney and NSW. Table 3: Changes over time in other religions in GWS, Years year change ( ) 10 year change ( ) Religious affiliation % (number) % (number) % (number) Buddhism Islam Hinduism Sikhism Other religious groups 5.0% 5.3% 4.8% 0.6% 14.2% 96, , , , % 8.0% 9.1% 26.6% 66.3% 126, , ,683 44,227 83, % 3.6% 4.9% 52.8% 148.2% 45,716 74, ,462 39,229 67, % 0.7% 1.0% 50.5% 202.2% 7,502 15,068 22,674 7,606 15, % 0.6% 0.7% 26.8% 65.6% 9,366 12,232 15,507 3,275 6,141 Please note that there are small random adjustments made to all cell values to protect the confidentiality of data. These adjustments may cause the sum of rows or columns to differ by small amounts from table totals. Please note Judaism was not included in this section as it only represents 0.1% of the GWS population. (Source: ABS 2017a, Table 12a,12b,12c) 5

6 Chart 3: Changes over time in other religions in GWS, Religious affiliation and age (Source: ABS 2017a, Table 12a,12b,12c) Table 4 shows the religious affiliation of age groups within GWS in All age groups were still more likely to identify with Christianity than other religions or no religion. When looking within religious affiliation categories however, young adults (18-34 years) were most likely to report not having a religion (22.0% of year population in GWS) and more likely to be affiliated with non-christian religions (24.9%) than any other age group. Older people, particularly those over 65 years old, were significantly more likely to report Christianity as their religion (71.5% of 65+ population in GWS) than their non-christian or non-religious counterparts. The religious affiliation of those under 18 is most similar to the year age group, suggesting the form may be completed with their parents beliefs. These findings are similar to regional and state trends. Age groups (years) Under Table 4: Religious affiliation and age in GWS, 2016 Christianity Other religions No religion Not stated or inadequately described Total % (number) 50.1% 23.5% 18.7% 7.7% 100% 287, , ,383 44, , % 24.9% 22.0% 8.8% 100% 254, , ,487 50, , % 22.4% 17.3% 7.9% 100% 250, ,902 82,531 37, , % 15.9% 16.5% 7.8% 100% 237,500 62,977 65,285 30, , % 9.4% 10.9% 8.2% 100% 203,846 26,689 31,182 23, ,102 Please note that there are small random adjustments made to all cell values to protect the confidentiality of data. These adjustments may cause the sum of rows or columns to differ by small amounts from table totals. (Source: ABS Census TableBuilder Pro 2017) 6

7 Religious affiliation and country of birth Table 5 shows the religious affiliation of Australian-born and elsewhere-born people within GWS in Those born in Australia are more likely to report an affiliation with Christianity (63.0% of the Australian-born population in GWS) than those born elsewhere (45.5% of the born-elsewhere population in GWS). The proportion of those born elsewhere who were affiliated with a non-christian religion (35.0%) was higher than those born in Australia (12.1%). Those identifying with no religion are more likely to be born in Australia (20.9%) than elsewhere (15.7%). These findings are similar to regional and state trends. However those born in Australia and elsewhere in GWS have a higher affiliation with non-christian religions than Greater Sydney, Rest of Sydney and NSW. This suggests that these religious communities are starting and establishing their families in GWS rather than other areas of Sydney. For more information on cultural and linguistic diversity in GWS, please see the 2016 Census CALD paper on WESTIR Limited s website. Table 5: Religious affiliation and country of birth in GWS, 2016 Country of birth Born in Australia (including external territories) Born elsewhere Christianity Other religions No religion % (number) Not stated or inadequately described Total 63.0% 12.1% 20.9% 3.9% 100% 807, , ,945 50,435 1,280, % 35.0% 15.7% 3.8% 100% 405, , ,203 33, ,768 Not stated 15.3% 4.9% 3.5% 76.3% 100% 20,642 6,667 4, , ,913 Please note that there are small random adjustments made to all cell values to protect the confidentiality of data. These adjustments may cause the sum of rows or columns to differ by small amounts from table totals. (Source: ABS Census TableBuilder Pro 2017) In Detail: Religious affiliation in Greater Western Sydney The next section provides a more detailed analysis of the major religious categories in GWS. Data used in this section is obtained from Tables 1 4 at the end of this topic paper. Table 1a c shows the religious affiliation of those living in GWS in 2016, broken down by LGA and relevant regional and state counterparts (GWS, Greater Sydney, Rest of Sydney, FACS WS district, FACS SWS district and NSW). Table 2a c shows the change in religious affiliation in GWS and relevant counterparts for five-year ( ) and ten-year ( ) periods. Table 3 shows an expanded version of religious affiliation and age in GWS in 2016 and Table 4 shows the expanded version of religious affiliation and country of birth in GWS in

8 Buddhism Size: In 2016, there were 110,566 Buddhists in GWS, comprising 4.8% of the total population. There was a higher proportion of Buddhists in GWS compared to FACS WS district (2.5% of the total population), Greater Sydney (3.9%), Rest of Sydney (3.0%), and NSW (2.8%), but a lower proportion compared to FACS SWS district (7.3%). Distribution: The highest proportion of Buddhists were found in the LGAs of Fairfield (41,136; 20.7% of the LGA population), Canterbury Bankstown (21,215; 6.1%) and Liverpool (11,268; 5.5%) and the lowest proportion were found in Wollondilly LGA (244; 0.5%). The map on p. 9 shows the distribution of Buddhists in GWS in Notable concentrations of Buddhists can be found in the Fairfield suburbs of Canley Vale, Canley Heights, Cabramatta and Lansvale and south-east Parramatta suburbs of Homebush Bay, Silverwater and Concord West. Other concentrations of Buddhists are also found in suburbs located in Canterbury Bankstown, Liverpool, Penrith and The Hills Shire LGAs. Changes over time: The number of Buddhists in GWS has increased by 14.2% since 2006 and 0.6% since These five and ten-year increases are lower than those seen for comparative regional and state counterparts (except FACS SWS district). It is also lower than those identifying with non-christian religions (notably South Asian religions such as Hinduism and Sikhism) and no religion in GWS within the same period. Age: Buddhists in GWS are most likely to be in the year age group (6.6% of year population in GWS) than any other age group. There is a higher proportion of Buddhists in GWS in the older age groups (50+ years old) and a lower proportion in the younger age groups (under 35 years old). These findings are similar to regional and state trends for Buddhism. Country of birth: Buddhists in GWS are more likely to be born elsewhere (9.0% of the born-elsewhere population in GWS) than in Australia (2.2% of the Australian-born population in GWS). For those born elsewhere, most identified their country of birth within the region of South-East Asia or North-East Asia. These findings are similar to regional and state trends, however GWS has a higher proportion of Buddhists born in Australia than Greater Sydney, Rest of Sydney and NSW but a lower proportion of Buddhists born elsewhere when compared to Rest of Sydney and FACS SWS district. 8

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10 Christianity Size: In 2016, there were 1,233,145 Christians in GWS, comprising 53.4% of the total population. There was a higher proportion of Christians in GWS compared to Greater Sydney (51.7% of the total population) and Rest of Sydney (50.2%), comparative proportion to FACS WS and FACS SWS districts (53.6% and 53.9%) and lower proportion than NSW (55.2%). Distribution: The highest proportion of Christians were found in the LGAs of Wollondilly (33,941; 70.0% of the LGA population), Camden (54,231; 69.3%) and Hawkesbury (42,579; 61.5%) and the lowest proportions were found in the LGAs of Cumberland (86,135; 39.9%) and Parramatta (100,380; 44.4%). The map on p. 11 shows the distribution of Christians in GWS in Notable concentrations of Christians can be found throughout the region, particularly within the north to south corridor of the region. Denominations: The largest Christian denominations in GWS were Catholic (622,742; 27.0% of the total population) and Anglican (248,909; 10.8%). The highest proportion of Catholics were found in Camden LGA (26,876; 34.4% of the LGA population) and the lowest proportion in Blue Mountains LGA (15,171; 19.7%). The highest proportion of Anglicans were found in Wollondilly LGA (13,342; 27.5%) and the lowest proportion in Cumberland LGA (9,889; 4.6%). Changes over time: Christianity is still the most common religion in GWS, but those identifying with the religion have decreased by 2.9% since 2006 and 4.7% since These five and ten-year decreases are still lower than those seen for comparative regional and state counterparts (except FACS SWS district). Age: Christians in GWS are most likely to be in the 65+ age group (71.5% of the 65+ population in GWS) than any other age group. There is a higher proportion of Christians in GWS in the older age groups (50+ years old) and a lower proportion in the younger age groups (under 35 years old). These findings are similar to regional and state trends for Christianity. Country of birth: Christians in GWS are more likely to be born in Australia (63.0% of the Australian-born population in GWS) than elsewhere (45.5% of the born-elsewhere population in GWS). These findings are similar to regional and state trends, although there is still a higher proportion of Christians in GWS that were born elsewhere than in other areas of Sydney and NSW. 10

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12 Hinduism Size: In 2016, there were 113,462 Hindus in GWS, comprising 4.9% of the total population. There was a higher proportion of Hindus in GWS compared to FACS SWS district (2.5% of the total population), Greater Sydney (3.5%), Rest of Sydney (2.3%) and NSW (2.4%), but a lower proportion compared to FACS WS district (6.7%). Distribution: The highest proportion of Hindus were found in the LGAs of Cumberland (22,025; 10.2% of the LGA population) and Blacktown (28,781; 8.5%) and the lowest proportion were found in the LGAs of Wollondilly (53; 0.1%) and Hawkesbury (103; 0.2%). The map on p. 13 shows the distribution of Hindus in GWS in Notable concentrations of Hindus can be found in the corridor of suburbs between Cumberland and Parramatta LGAs (notably Northmead, Parramatta and Rosehill), Blacktown LGA suburbs of Riverstone, Marsden Park, Glenwood, Doonside, Woodcroft, Blacktown East/Kings Park and Toongabbie, and Liverpool LGA suburbs of Hoxton Park, Macquarie Fields and Glenfield. Changes over time: The number of Hindus in GWS has increased by 148.2% since 2006 and 52.8% since These five and ten-year increases are slightly higher than those seen for comparative regional and state counterparts (except FACS SWS district). Similar increases over time have also been observed with those identifying with other South Asian religions such as Sikhism. Age: Hindus in GWS are most likely to be in the year age group (9.4% of the year population in GWS) than any other age group. There is a higher proportion of Hindus in GWS in the younger age groups (under 35 years old) and a lower proportion in the older age groups (50+ years old). These findings are similar to regional and state trends for Hinduism, although there is still a higher proportion of Hindus in younger age groups in GWS than in other areas of Sydney and NSW. Country of birth: Hindus in GWS are more likely to be born elsewhere (10.0% of the born-elsewhere population in GWS) than in Australia (1.8% of the Australian-born population in GWS). For those born elsewhere, most identified their country of birth within the region of Southern and Central Asia. These findings are similar to regional and state trends, although there is still a higher proportion of Hindus in GWS that were born in both Australia and elsewhere than in other areas of Sydney and NSW. 12

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14 Islam Size: In 2016, there were 210,683 Muslims in GWS, comprising 9.1% of the total population. There was a higher proportion of Muslims in GWS compared to FACS WS district (6.8% of the total population), Greater Sydney (5.3%), Rest of Sydney (1.7%) and NSW (3.6%), but a lower proportion compared to FACS SWS district (11.3%). Distribution: The highest proportion of Muslims were found in the LGAs of Cumberland (47,286; 21.9% of the LGA population) and Canterbury Bankstown (71,894; 20.8%) and the lowest proportion were found in Blue Mountains LGA (187; 0.2%). The map on p. 15 shows the distribution of Muslims in GWS in Notable concentrations of Muslims can be found in the Canterbury Bankstown suburbs of Greenacre, Lakemba, Punchbowl, Birrong, Georges Hall and Condell Park and Cumberland suburbs of Granville and Auburn, and parts of Blacktown and Liverpool LGAs. Changes over time: The number of Muslims in GWS has increased by 66.3% since 2006 and 26.6% since These five and ten-year increases are higher than those see for comparative regional and state counterparts (except FACS SWS district). However, it should be noted that Islam is roughly half the rate of growth seen by other non-christian religions (notably Hinduism and Sikhism) or secularism/no religion in GWS during this period. Age: Muslims in GWS are most likely to be under 18 (13.2% of the under 18 population of GWS) than any other age group. There is a higher proportion of Muslims in GWS in the younger age groups (under 35 years old) and a lower proportion in the older age groups (50+ years old). These findings are similar to regional and state trends for Islam, although there is still a higher proportion of Muslims in younger age groups in GWS than in other areas of Sydney and NSW. Country of birth: Muslims in GWS are more likely to be born elsewhere (12.9% of the born-elsewhere population in GWS) than in Australia (7.2% of the Australian-born population in GWS). For those born elsewhere, most identified their country of birth within the regions of Southern and Central Asia or North Africa and the Middle East. These findings are similar to regional and state trends, although there is still a higher proportion of Muslims in GWS that were born in both Australia and elsewhere than in other areas of Sydney and NSW. 14

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16 Judaism Size: In 2016, there were 1,242 Jews in GWS, comprising 0.1% of the total population. This is comparative to FACS WS and SWS districts (0.1% and 0.0% of the total population) but lower than Greater Sydney (0.7%), Rest of Sydney (1.3%) and NSW (0.5%). Distribution: The highest number of Jews were found in The Hills Shire (195; 0.1% of the LGA population) and the lowest number were found in Fairfield (21; 0.0%). The map on p. 17 shows the distribution of Jews in GWS in The map shows that there is little to no concentration of Jews in GWS. Notable concentrations of Jews are located outside the region, particularly the Eastern suburbs and North Shore. Changes over time: The proportion of Jews in GWS has fluctuated, increasing by 12.5% since 2006 and decreasing by 4.2% since This is comparative to regional and state trends. Age: Jews in GWS are most likely to be over 35 years old (0.1% of the over 35 years old population in GWS) than any other age group. Due to their small numbers in GWS, it is difficult to compare with regional and state trends. Country of birth: There was the same proportion of Jews in GWS born in Australia (0.1% of the Australian-born population in GWS) and elsewhere (0.1% of the elsewhere-born population in GWS). Due to their small numbers in GWS, it is difficult to compare with regional and state trends. 16

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18 Sikhism Size: In 2016, there were 22,674 Sikhs in GWS, comprising 1.0% of the total population. There were a higher proportion of Sikhs in GWS compared to FACS SWS district (0.3% of the total population), Greater Sydney (0.6%), Rest of Sydney (0.2%) and NSW (0.4%), but a lower proportion than FACS WS district (1.5%). Distribution: The highest proportion of Sikhs were found in the LGAs of Blacktown (11,380; 3.4% of the LGA population) and Parramatta (2,667; 1.2%) and the lowest proportion were found in Wollondilly (14; 0.0%). The map on p. 19 shows the distribution of Sikhs in GWS in Notable concentrations of Sikhs can be found in the Blacktown suburbs of Riverstone, Marsden Park, Parklea, Kellyville Ridge, Glenwood, Blacktown East/Kings Park, Doonside and Woodcroft, the Parramatta suburb of Northmead and the Penrith suburbs of Castlereagh/Cranebrook and Glenmore Park. Changes over time: The number of Sikhs in GWS has increased by 202.2% since 2006 and 50.5% since These five and ten-year increases are higher than those seen for comparative regional and state counterparts (except FACS WS district). Similar increases over time have also been observed with those identifying with other South Asian religions such as Hinduism. Age: Sikhs in GWS are most likely to be in the year age group (1.7% of the year old population in GWS) than any other age group. There is a higher proportion of Hindus in GWS in the younger age groups (under 35 years old) and a lower proportion in the older age groups (50+ years old). These findings are similar to regional and state trends for Sikhs, although there is still a higher proportion of Sikhs in younger age groups in GWS than in other areas of Sydney and NSW. Country of birth: Sikhs in GWS are more likely to be born elsewhere (2.0% of the elsewhere-born population in GWS) than in Australia (0.4% of the Australian-born population in GWS). For those born elsewhere, most identified their country of birth within the region of Southern and Central Asia. These findings are similar to regional and state trends, although there is still a higher proportion of Hindus in GWS that were born in both Australia and elsewhere than in other areas of Sydney and NSW. 18

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20 Other religious groups Size: In 2016, there were 15,507 people in GWS who identified with other religious groups, comprising 0.7% of the total population. This included Australian Aboriginal Traditional Religions and other religions such as 'Baha'i', 'Chinese Religions', 'Druse', 'Japanese Religions', 'Nature Religions', 'Spiritualism' and 'Miscellaneous Religions'. There was a higher proportion of people in GWS identifying with other religious groups than FACS WS district (0.5% of the total population), Greater Sydney (0.5%), Rest of Sydney (0.3%) and NSW (0.4%), but a lower proportion than the FACS SWS district (0.9%). Distribution: The highest proportion of people who identified with other religious groups were found in the LGAs of Liverpool (5.457; 2.7% of the LGA population) and the lowest proportion in Wollondilly (86; 0.2%). The map on p. 21 shows the distribution of people identifying with other religious groups in GWS in Small concentrations of other religious groups can be found in the LGAs of Camden, Cumberland, Fairfield, Parramatta, Penrith and The Hills Shire, with a notable concentration in central and eastern suburbs of Liverpool LGA such as Casula. Changes over time: The number of people who identified with other religious groups in GWS has increased by 65.6% since 2006 and 26.8% since These five and ten-year increases are higher than those see for comparative regional and state counterparts (except FACS SWS district). Age: People in GWS identifying with other religious groups are most likely to be in the year age group (0.8% of the years old population in GWS) than any other age group. Due to their small numbers in GWS, it is difficult to compare but they appear to be slightly younger than their counterparts on a regional and state level. Country of birth: People in GWS identifying with other religious groups are more likely to be born elsewhere (1.1% of the elsewhere-born population in GWS) than in Australia (0.4% of the Australian-born population in GWS). Due to their small numbers in GWS, it is difficult to compare with regional and state trends. 20

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22 Secularism and no religion Size: In 2016, there were 412,886 people in GWS who identified with secular beliefs and other spiritual beliefs and no religious affiliation. This comprised of 17.9% of the total population. There was a lower proportion of people identifying with secularism/no religion in GWS than FACS WS district (20.3% of the total population), Greater Sydney (25.0%), Rest of Sydney (31.6%) and NSW (25.5%), but a higher proportion than FACS SWS district (15.6%). Distribution: The highest proportion of people identifying with secularism/no religion were found in the LGAs of Blue Mountains (28,221; 36.7% of the LGA population) and Parramatta (56,142; 24.8%) and the lowest proportion were found in Liverpool (23,448; 11.5%). The map on p. 23 shows the distribution of people identifying with secularism/no religion in GWS in Notable concentrations of people identifying with secularism/no religion can be found in the upper Blue Mountains suburbs between Linden and Katoomba, the north-west suburbs of Pitt Town, McGraths Hill, Kellyville, Rouse Hill, Beaumont Hills, Parklea and Kellyville Ridge, Penrith suburbs of Kingswood, Werrington and Glenmore Park, south eastern Parramatta suburbs of Homebush Bay, Silverwater and Concord West, and Camden suburbs of Claymore and Leppington. Changes over time: The number of people identifying with secularism/no religion in GWS has increased by 100.7% since 2006 and 59.6% since These five and ten-year increases are comparable to regional and state counterparts (except FACS SWS district which has seen a lower increase). Age: People identifying with secularism/no religion in GWS are most likely to be in the year age group (24.9% of the year old population in GWS) than any other age group. There is a higher proportion of people identifying with secularism/no religion in GWS in the younger age groups (under 35 years old) and a lower proportion in the older age groups (50+ years old). These findings are similar to regional and state trends for secularism/no religion, although there is still a lower proportion of people identifying with secularism/no religion across all age groups in GWS than in other areas of Sydney and NSW. Country of birth: People identifying with secularism/no religion in GWS are more likely to be born in Australia (20.9% of the Australian-born population in GWS) than elsewhere (15.7% of the elsewhere-born population in GWS). These findings are similar to regional and state trends, although there is a lower proportion of people identifying with secularism/no religion in GWS that were born both in Australia and elsewhere than in other areas of Sydney and NSW. 22

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24 Religious affiliation not stated Size: In 2016, there were 186,981 people in GWS who did not state any religious affiliation on the Census form. This comprised of 8.1% of the total population. There were a lower proportion of people who did not state any religious affiliation in GWS compared to Greater Sydney (8.8% of the total population), Rest of Sydney (9.5%) and NSW (9.2%), and a comparative proportion in FACS WS (8.1%) and FACS SWS (8.2%) districts. Distribution: The highest proportion of people who did not state any religious affiliation were found in the LGAs of Parramatta (21,219; 9.4% of the LGA population) and Liverpool (18,828; 9.2%) and the lowest proportion were found in The Hills Shire (9,288; 5.9%). The map on p. 25 shows the distribution of people who did not state any religious affiliation in GWS in Notable concentrations can be found in the north-west suburbs of Blacktown and The Hills Shire LGAs, south eastern suburbs of Parramatta and Liverpool LGAs, and central suburbs of Penrith and Camden LGAs. These are similar patterns found in the map for people identifying with secularism/no religion on p. 23. Changes over time: The number of people who did not state any religious affiliation in GWS has increased by 6.8% since 2006 and 25.1% since Comparisons with regional and state counterparts are difficult as they have fluctuated over a five and ten-year period. Age: The proportion of people not stating a religious affiliation is consistent, with all age groups no more or less likely to not state a religion. This is similar to regional and state trends. Country of birth: People not stating a religious affiliation were no more or less likely to be born in Australia (3.9% of the Australian-born population in GWS) than elsewhere (3.8% of the elsewhere-born population in GWS). This is similar to regional and state trends. 24

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26 Conclusions In conclusion, Greater Western Sydney (GWS) is a religiously diverse community, with the 2016 Census data showing higher rates of religious affiliation and lower rates of secularism/no religion than regional, state or even national figures. At 53.4% of the total GWS population, Christianity was still the most common religion of the region in Overall, affiliation with Christianity in GWS declined over a five to ten-year period, although these decreases were still lower than those seen for comparative regional and state counterparts. Those identifying with Christianity in GWS are more likely to be in older age groups (65+) and be born in Australia than in other areas of the world. The number and proportion of people in GWS identifying with other non-christian religions continues to increase at rates higher than regional and state counterparts. In particular, South Asian religions such as Hinduism and Sikhism have significantly increased in GWS over the last five to ten years, at a greater rate than other non-christian religions such as Islam or secularism/no religion. Those identifying with non-christian religions in GWS are more likely to be in the younger age groups (under 35 years old) and be born elsewhere than in Australia. While people in GWS continue to strongly identify with various religious groups, an increasing number of people in the region chose to identify with secularism/no religion or to not state any religious affiliation in the last five to ten years. But this was still lower than regional and state counterparts. Those identifying with secularism/no religion in GWS are more likely to be in the year age group and be born in Australia than in other areas of the world. References Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2017a, 2016 Census Time Series Profile: Australia, accessed 24 July 2017, ABS 2017b, Religion in Australia 2016 Census Data Summary, accessed 1 August 2017, Barker, R. 2017, Religion and the Census: Australia s Unique Relationship with Faith and Unbelief, ABC Religion and Ethics Opinion, accessed 24 July 2017 at McCrindle, M. et al 2017, Faith and Belief in Australia: a national study on religion, spirituality and worldview trends, McCrindle Research Pty Ltd, Baulkham Hills. Accessed 24 July 2017 at 26

27 Table 1a: Religious Affiliation of Person in GWS (including Lithgow and Wingecarribee LGAs), 2016 Blacktown % Blue Mountains % Camden % Campbelltown % Canterbury- Bankstown % Cumberland % Fairfield % Buddhism 5, % 1, % % 4, % 21, % 9, % 41, % Christianity: Anglican 35, % 13, % 16, % 23, % 19, % 9, % 7, % Assyrian Apostolic % 6 0.0% % % % % 7, % Baptist 4, % 2, % % 2, % 3, % 2, % 2, % Brethren % % % % % % 7 0.0% Catholic 98, % 15, % 26, % 41, % 81, % 51, % 61, % Churches of Christ % % % % % % % Eastern Orthodox 6, % % 1, % 2, % 30, % 5, % 7, % Jehovah's Witnesses 1, % % % % % % % Latter-day Saints 2, % % % 1, % % % % Lutheran % % % % % % % Oriental Orthodox 3, % % % % 2, % % 1, % Other Protestant 3, % % % 1, % 1, % % % Pentecostal 7, % % 1, % 2, % 2, % 2, % 1, % Presbyterian and Reformed 5, % 2, % 1, % 3, % 4, % 3, % 1, % Salvation Army % % % % % % % Seventh-day Adventist 1, % % % % % % % Uniting Church 6, % 2, % 1, % 2, % 4, % 2, % 1, % Christian, nfd(a) 10, % 2, % 1, % 4, % 7, % 4, % 7, % Other Christian % % % % % % % Total Christianity 189, % 40, % 54, % 89, % 161, % 86, % 102, % Hinduism 28, % % % 7, % 6, % 22, % 1, % Islam 22, % % 1, % 12, % 71, % 47, % 11, % Judaism % % % % % % % Sikhism 11, % % % 1, % 1, % 2, % % Other religious groups(b) 1, % % % % 1, % 1, % 1, % Secular Beliefs and Other Spiritual Beliefs and No Religious Affiliation(c) 51, % 28, % 15, % 28, % 52, % 30, % 25, % Religious affiliation not stated(d) 25, % 6, % 5, % 13, % 29, % 17, % 14, % Total 336, % 76, % 78, % 157, % 346, % 216, % 198, % This table is based on place of usual residence. (a) In 2006 and 2011 comprises 'Christian, nfd', 'Apostolic Church, so described', 'Church of God, so described, Australian Christian Churches, so described', ' 'New Church Alliance, so described' and 'Faith Churches'. (b) Comprises Australian Aboriginal Traditional Religions, 'Baha'i', 'Chinese Religions', 'Druse', 'Japanese Religions', 'Nature Religions', 'Spiritualism' and 'Miscellaneous Religions'. (c) In 2006 and 2011 comprises 'No Religion, nfd', 'Agnosticism', 'Atheism', 'Humanism', 'Rationalism', 'New Age, so described', 'Theism', 'Pantheism', 'Unitarian and 'Religious Belief nfd'. In 2016 the order of the response categories changed on the Census form, no religion moved to the first response. This may result in higher responses reported for the 'No Religion, so described' category. (d) In 2006 and 2011 includes 'Not defined'. In 2016 includes 'Inadequately described'. Please note that there are small random adjustments made to all cell values to protect the confidentiality of data. These adjustments may cause the sum of rows or columns to differ by small amounts from table totals. (Source: ABS 2016 Census Time Series Profile, Table 12c) 27

28 Table 1b: Religious Affiliation of Person in GWS (including Lithgow and Wingecarribee LGAs), 2016 Hawkesbury % Lithgow % Liverpool % Parramatta % Penrith % The Hills Shire % Wingecarribee % Wollondilly % Buddhism % % 11, % 8, % 2, % 4, % % % Christianity: Anglican 15, % 4, % 15, % 18, % 36, % 23, % 12, % 13, % Assyrian Apostolic 7 0.0% 0 0.0% 1, % % % % 0 0.0% 3 0.0% Baptist 1, % % 2, % 4, % 1, % 2, % % % Brethren % % % % % % % % Catholic 17, % 5, % 58, % 47, % 62, % 45, % 10, % 14, % Churches of Christ % 6 0.0% % % % % % % Eastern Orthodox % % 11, % 3, % 3, % 2, % % % Jehovah's Witnesses % % % % % % % % Latter-day Saints % % % % % % % % Lutheran % % % % % % % % Oriental Orthodox % 8 0.0% 2, % 1, % % % % % Other Protestant % % % 1, % % % % % Pentecostal % % 3, % 2, % 2, % 4, % % % Presbyterian and Reformed 1, % % 2, % 7, % 4, % 4, % 1, % % Salvation Army % % % % % % % % Seventh-day Adventist % % % % % % % % Uniting Church 2, % 1, % 1, % 5, % 3, % 4, % 1, % 1, % Christian, nfd(a) 1, % % 6, % 5, % 4, % 3, % 1, % 1, % Other Christian % % % % % % % % Total Christianity 42, % 12, % 109, % 100, % 125, % 95, % 29, % 33, % Hinduism % % 10, % 25, % 3, % 7, % % % Islam % % 24, % 9, % 4, % 4, % % % Judaism % % % % % % % % Sikhism % % % 2, % 1, % 1, % % % Other religious groups(b) % % 5, % 1, % % % % % Secular Beliefs and Other Spiritual Beliefs and No Religious Affiliation(c) 15, % 4, % 23, % 56, % 42, % 33, % 12, % 10, % Religious affiliation not stated(d) 5, % 2, % 18, % 21, % 16, % 9, % 4, % 3, % Total 64, % 21, % 204, % 226, % 196, % 157, % 47, % 48, % This table is based on place of usual residence. (a) In 2006 and 2011 comprises 'Christian, nfd', 'Apostolic Church, so described', 'Church of God, so described, Australian Christian Churches, so described', ' 'New Church Alliance, so described' and 'Faith Churches'. (b) Comprises Australian Aboriginal Traditional Religions, 'Baha'i', 'Chinese Religions', 'Druse', 'Japanese Religions', 'Nature Religions', 'Spiritualism' and 'Miscellaneous Religions'. (c) In 2006 and 2011 comprises 'No Religion, nfd', 'Agnosticism', 'Atheism', 'Humanism', 'Rationalism', 'New Age, so described', 'Theism', 'Pantheism', 'Unitarian and 'Religious Belief nfd'. In 2016 the order of the response categories changed on the Census form, no religion moved to the first response. This may result in higher responses reported for the 'No Religion, so described' category. (d) In 2006 and 2011 includes 'Not defined'. In 2016 includes 'Inadequately described'. Please note that there are small random adjustments made to all cell values to protect the confidentiality of data. These adjustments may cause the sum of rows or columns to differ by small amounts from table totals. (Source: ABS 2016 Census Time Series Profile, Table 12c) 28

29 Table 1c: Religious Affiliation of Person in GWS (including Lithgow and Wingecarribee LGAs), 2016 GWS % Greater Sydney % Rest of Sydney % FACS WS % FACS SWS % NSW % Buddhism 110, % 186, % 75, % 31, % 79, % 207, % Christianity: Anglican 248, % 580, % 331, % 157, % 108, % 1,161, % Assyrian Apostolic 10, % 10, % % % 9, % 10, % Baptist 31, % 59, % 28, % 19, % 13, % 94, % Brethren 2, % 3, % % 2, % % 6, % Catholic 622, % 1,213, % 590, % 343, % 294, % 1,846, % Churches of Christ 2, % 4, % 1, % 2, % % 6, % Eastern Orthodox 78, % 165, % 87, % 22, % 55, % 188, % Jehovah's Witnesses 7, % 11, % 4, % 3, % 3, % 22, % Latter-day Saints 9, % 12, % 2, % 5, % 4, % 16, % Lutheran 3, % 9, % 5, % 2, % 1, % 20, % Oriental Orthodox 14, % 25, % 10, % 7, % 7, % 26, % Other Protestant 12, % 23, % 11, % 7, % 4, % 32, % Pentecostal 32, % 52, % 20, % 20, % 11, % 77, % Presbyterian and Reformed 42, % 95, % 53, % 29, % 14, % 188, % Salvation Army 3, % 5, % 2, % 1, % 1, % 15, % Seventh-day Adventist 6, % 11, % 4, % 4, % 2, % 22, % Uniting Church 41, % 97, % 55, % 28, % 15, % 217, % Christian, nfd(a) 60, % 108, % 47, % 32, % 29, % 165, % Other Christian 2, % 4, % 1, % 1, % 1, % 7, % Total Christianity 1,233, % 2,496, % 1,262, % 693, % 582, % 4,127, % Hinduism 113, % 170, % 56, % 87, % 26, % 181, % Islam 210, % 253, % 42, % 88, % 122, % 267, % Judaism 1, % 35, % 33, % % % 36, % Sikhism 22, % 26, % 4, % 19, % 3, % 31, % Other religious groups(b) 15, % 23, % 8, % 6, % 9, % 31, % Secular Beliefs and Other Spiritual Beliefs and No Religious Affiliation(c) 412, % 1,206, % 794, % 262, % 168, % 1,910, % Religious affiliation not stated(d) 186, % 425, % 238, % 105, % 89, % 684, % Total 2,307, % 4,823, % 2,516, % 1,295, % 1,081, % 7,480, % This table is based on place of usual residence. (a) In 2006 and 2011 comprises 'Christian, nfd', 'Apostolic Church, so described', 'Church of God, so described, Australian Christian Churches, so described', ' 'New Church Alliance, so described' and 'Faith Churches'. (b) Comprises Australian Aboriginal Traditional Religions, 'Baha'i', 'Chinese Religions', 'Druse', 'Japanese Religions', 'Nature Religions', 'Spiritualism' and 'Miscellaneous Religions'. (c) In 2006 and 2011 comprises 'No Religion, nfd', 'Agnosticism', 'Atheism', 'Humanism', 'Rationalism', 'New Age, so described', 'Theism', 'Pantheism', 'Unitarian and 'Religious Belief nfd'. In 2016 the order of the response categories changed on the Census form, no religion moved to the first response. This may result in higher responses reported for the 'No Religion, so described' category. (d) In 2006 and 2011 includes 'Not defined'. In 2016 includes 'Inadequately described'. Please note that there are small random adjustments made to all cell values to protect the confidentiality of data. These adjustments may cause the sum of rows or columns to differ by small amounts from table totals. (Source: ABS 2016 Census Time Series Profile, Table 12c) 29