Religion in Cardiff
Cardiff had the highest proportion reporting no religion of any local authority in Wales in the 2021 Census: 42.9%. Christianity was the second-largest response at 38.3%, followed by Islam at 9.3%. Hinduism accounted for 1.5%, Sikhism 0.4%, Buddhism 0.4%, Judaism 0.2% and other religions 0.6%; 6.3% did not answer the voluntary religion question. Since 2011, no religion increased sharply from 31.8% while Christian affiliation fell from 51.4%. Cardiff also had the highest proportions in Wales for Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh affiliation.
Religion Percentages in Cardiff
Census 2011 to 2021 Demographic Trends
Community & Cultural Highlights
- No religion was Cardiff's largest Census response in 2021 at 42.9%, up from 31.8% in 2011.
- Christian affiliation fell from 51.4% in 2011 to 38.3% in 2021, a decline of 13.1 percentage points.
- Islam was reported by 9.3% of Cardiff residents, up from 6.8% in 2011. Cardiff had by far the highest Muslim proportion of any local authority in Wales.
- Cardiff had the highest proportion of Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh residents among Welsh local authorities in the 2021 Census, making the capital Wales's leading centre of recorded religious diversity.
- Cardiff's religious diversity is closely connected with its role as a major port city, university city and international capital, with migration contributing to its changing population.
- Butetown, historically known as Tiger Bay, developed around Cardiff's docks as an exceptionally diverse maritime community. Migrants and seafarers from Africa, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Europe and elsewhere helped shape its multicultural identity from the 19th century onward.
- The historical significance of Tiger Bay should not be reduced to a single ethnic community: its identity was formed by people from many nationalities and backgrounds living and working around Cardiff's docks.
- Cardiff's South Asian community has developed significant religious and cultural infrastructure, including mosques, Hindu institutions, community organisations, restaurants and specialist businesses.
- The city combines a large secular population with substantial Christian and Muslim communities, rather than being accurately characterised as either predominantly secular or predominantly Christian.
Community Geographic Distributions in Cardiff
Cardiff has Wales's largest Muslim community by number and the highest Muslim proportion of any Welsh local authority. Muslim communities include people with substantial Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Arab, Somali and other backgrounds.
South Asian communities are an important part of Cardiff's social and cultural landscape, with established Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Indian communities and extensive networks of businesses, mosques, temples and community organisations.
Cardiff has a longstanding African, Caribbean and wider Black heritage, particularly associated historically with the docklands and the communities of Butetown and Grangetown.
Cardiff has one of the strongest Hindu population shares in Wales, with Hindu organisations and temples supporting worship and community life.
Cardiff has a small but longstanding Jewish community, with contemporary institutions concentrated particularly in north-eastern parts of the city.
Cardiff Religious Landscape & Demographic Analysis
According to official figures from the ONS Census 2021, Religion, Wales, Cardiff (total population: 362,400 across Wales) exhibits a distinct religious profile. Christianity represents 38.3% of the population. A substantial 42.9% of residents report having no religious affiliation. The Muslim community comprises 9.3% of local residents. Hindu residents account for 1.5%.
Local Places of Worship & Community Centers
Spiritual and community life in Cardiff is supported by recognized places of worship across various neighborhoods, including Llandaff Cathedral (Church in Wales Cathedral located in Llandaff), Shah Jalal Mosque & Islamic Cultural Centre (Mosque and Islamic Cultural Centre located in Crwys Road, Cathays), Sanatan Dharma Mandal & Hindu Community Centre (Hindu Temple and Community Centre located in Merches Place, Grangetown), and Cardiff Central Synagogue (Jewish Synagogue located in Cyncoed).
Neighborhood & Diaspora Insights in Cardiff
No religion was Cardiff's largest Census response in 2021 at 42.9%, up from 31.8% in 2011. Christian affiliation fell from 51.4% in 2011 to 38.3% in 2021, a decline of 13.1 percentage points. Islam was reported by 9.3% of Cardiff residents, up from 6.8% in 2011. Cardiff had by far the highest Muslim proportion of any local authority in Wales. Cardiff had the highest proportion of Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh residents among Welsh local authorities in the 2021 Census, making the capital Wales's leading centre of recorded religious diversity. Cardiff's religious diversity is closely connected with its role as a major port city, university city and international capital, with migration contributing to its changing population. Butetown, historically known as Tiger Bay, developed around Cardiff's docks as an exceptionally diverse maritime community. Migrants and seafarers from Africa, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Europe and elsewhere helped shape its multicultural identity from the 19th century onward. The historical significance of Tiger Bay should not be reduced to a single ethnic community: its identity was formed by people from many nationalities and backgrounds living and working around Cardiff's docks. Cardiff's South Asian community has developed significant religious and cultural infrastructure, including mosques, Hindu institutions, community organisations, restaurants and specialist businesses. The city combines a large secular population with substantial Christian and Muslim communities, rather than being accurately characterised as either predominantly secular or predominantly Christian.
Practical Living & Community Guidance in Cardiff
- •The 2021 Cardiff population is commonly presented by ONS as around 362,400; use this rounded value for general content.
- •Across Wales as a whole, 46.5% reported no religion and 43.6% identified as Christian in 2021.
- •ONS specifically identifies Cardiff as having the highest proportions in Wales for Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh affiliation.
- •The 42.9% reporting no religion is separate from the 6.3% who did not answer the voluntary religion question.
- •Census religion statistics measure affiliation or identification and do not measure personal belief or frequency of worship.
- •Halal, Kosher, and vegetarian food products are widely accessible in major supermarkets and independent community grocery stores across the city.
- •Under the UK Equality Act 2010, religious belief and practice are protected characteristics against discrimination in workplaces, education, and housing.
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