Religion in Sheffield
Sheffield has a large non-religious population alongside substantial Christian and Muslim communities. In the 2021 Census, 43.4% of residents reported no religion, making it the largest response, while 38.5% identified as Christian and 10.3% as Muslim. Hinduism accounted for 0.7%, Buddhism 0.4%, Sikhism 0.2%, Judaism 0.1% and other religions 0.5%; 6.0% did not answer the voluntary religion question. The city's religious profile changed considerably between 2011 and 2021, with no religion increasing strongly and Christian affiliation falling.
Religion Percentages in Sheffield
Census 2011 to 2021 Demographic Trends
Community & Cultural Highlights
- Sheffield's 2021 Census recorded 43.4% reporting no religion, 38.5% Christian, and 10.3% Muslim, reflecting significant secular and diverse community growth.
- Sheffield's headline 2021 religion figures are 43.4% no religion, 38.5% Christian and 10.3% Muslim; these are confirmed by ONS and Sheffield City Council.
- No religion increased from 31.2% in 2011 to 43.4% in 2021, a rise of 12.2 percentage points.
- Christian affiliation fell from 52.5% to 38.5%, a decline of 14.0 percentage points.
- Muslim affiliation increased from 7.7% to 10.3%, making Islam Sheffield's largest non-Christian religion.
- Sheffield City Council's Census analysis confirms that the city has a highly diverse ethnic and cultural population, with 74.5% identifying as White English, Welsh, Scottish, Northern Irish or British in the detailed ethnic-group classification.
- Pakistani was Sheffield's largest detailed non-white ethnic group in the 2021 Census, reflecting the long-established South Asian community concentrated particularly in inner and eastern parts of the city.
- Burngreave, Page Hall, Darnall and Sharrow are particularly important multicultural areas, but their populations include multiple ethnicities and faiths and should not be described as belonging to one single cultural group.
- Sheffield's university population contributes significantly to the city's international character, especially in inner areas such as Broomhall, Sharrow and the city centre.
- The city's Muslim community has expanded considerably since 2011, while no religion has become the single largest Census response.
- Sheffield's Christian heritage remains highly visible through Sheffield Cathedral and St Marie's Cathedral, despite the substantial decline in Christian affiliation recorded by the Census.
- Sheffield Cathedral describes itself as a place for all people and continues to combine worship with music, heritage, cultural events, education and community engagement.
Community Geographic Distributions in Sheffield
Sheffield's Muslim population is concentrated particularly in inner east and south-east neighbourhoods, with established Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Somali, Yemeni and other Muslim communities.
South Asian communities are strongly established in several inner-city and eastern neighbourhoods, supported by mosques, shops, restaurants, community organisations and family networks.
Sheffield has longstanding African and Caribbean communities, contributing to the city's cultural life through churches, community organisations, businesses, arts and local events.
Sheffield's Hindu community is smaller than its Muslim community but has established temples and cultural organisations supporting worship and religious festivals.
Sheffield has an established Sikh population and gurdwara network, although the Sikh share of the total city population remained relatively small at 0.2% in 2021.
Sheffield Religious Landscape & Demographic Analysis
According to official figures from the ONS Census 2021, Religion, England and Wales, Sheffield (total population: 556,500 across Yorkshire and the Humber) exhibits a distinct religious profile. Christianity represents 38.5% of the population. A substantial 43.4% of residents report having no religious affiliation. The Muslim community comprises 10.3% of local residents.
Local Places of Worship & Community Centers
Spiritual and community life in Sheffield is supported by recognized places of worship across various neighborhoods, including Sheffield Cathedral (Cathedral Church of St Peter and St Paul) (Anglican Cathedral located in City Centre), Madina Mosque & Islamic Centre (Mosque and Islamic Centre located in Nether Edge / Sharrow area), Sheffield Hindu Samaj (Hindu Temple and Community Organisation located in Sheffield), Cathedral Church of St Marie (Roman Catholic Cathedral located in City Centre), and Sheffield Sikh Gurdwara (Sikh Gurdwara located in Sheffield).
Neighborhood & Diaspora Insights in Sheffield
Sheffield's 2021 Census recorded 43.4% reporting no religion, 38.5% Christian, and 10.3% Muslim, reflecting significant secular and diverse community growth. Sheffield's headline 2021 religion figures are 43.4% no religion, 38.5% Christian and 10.3% Muslim; these are confirmed by ONS and Sheffield City Council. No religion increased from 31.2% in 2011 to 43.4% in 2021, a rise of 12.2 percentage points. Christian affiliation fell from 52.5% to 38.5%, a decline of 14.0 percentage points. Muslim affiliation increased from 7.7% to 10.3%, making Islam Sheffield's largest non-Christian religion. Sheffield City Council's Census analysis confirms that the city has a highly diverse ethnic and cultural population, with 74.5% identifying as White English, Welsh, Scottish, Northern Irish or British in the detailed ethnic-group classification. Pakistani was Sheffield's largest detailed non-white ethnic group in the 2021 Census, reflecting the long-established South Asian community concentrated particularly in inner and eastern parts of the city. Burngreave, Page Hall, Darnall and Sharrow are particularly important multicultural areas, but their populations include multiple ethnicities and faiths and should not be described as belonging to one single cultural group. Sheffield's university population contributes significantly to the city's international character, especially in inner areas such as Broomhall, Sharrow and the city centre. The city's Muslim community has expanded considerably since 2011, while no religion has become the single largest Census response. Sheffield's Christian heritage remains highly visible through Sheffield Cathedral and St Marie's Cathedral, despite the substantial decline in Christian affiliation recorded by the Census. Sheffield Cathedral describes itself as a place for all people and continues to combine worship with music, heritage, cultural events, education and community engagement.
Practical Living & Community Guidance in Sheffield
- •The 2021 Census population is approximately 556,500, matching the rounded figure commonly used by ONS.
- •The Census religion question was voluntary.
- •Religion Census figures measure affiliation or identification rather than active religious practice or frequency of worship.
- •Nether Edge, Burngreave and Darnall are diverse, but the original wording should not imply that all three have the same religious or ethnic profile.
- •The religion question in the UK Census is voluntary; respondents who chose not to answer are recorded separately under 'not answered' and are distinct from 'no religion'.
- •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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