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 Albany (C), accounting for 50.1% (19,430 people). This share was higher than Regional WA (45.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 5,590 people and 12.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Albany (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Albany (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional WA and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Albany (C), with comparison markers for Regional WA.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
19,430
% of total
50.1%
Change from 2016
+12.3pp
19,430
50.1%
+12.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
4,594
% of total
11.8%
Change from 2016
-4.8pp
4,594
11.8%
-4.8pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
4,048
% of total
10.4%
Change from 2016
-2.4pp
4,048
10.4%
-2.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
3,013
% of total
7.8%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
3,013
7.8%
-2.1pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
1,844
% of total
4.8%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
1,844
4.8%
+0.7pp
Baptist
2021 count
1,195
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
1,195
3.1%
-0.1pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
1,032
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
1,032
2.7%
-1.3pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
416
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
416
1.1%
-0.6pp
Free Reformed
2021 count
400
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
400
1.0%
-0.3pp
Buddhism
2021 count
300
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
300
0.8%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+5,590
+12.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-1,488
-4.8pp
Western Catholic
-631
-2.4pp
Not stated
-615
-2.1pp
Christianity, nfd
+334
+0.7pp
Baptist
+11
-0.1pp
Uniting Church
-441
-1.3pp
Presbyterian
-222
-0.6pp
Free Reformed
-84
-0.3pp
Buddhism
+30
+0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Albany (C). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional WA.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional WA% | Count | % | Regional WA% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 19,430 | 50.1% | 45.6% | 13,840 | 37.8% | 33.8% | +5,590 | +12.3pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 4,594 | 11.8% | 11.3% | 6,082 | 16.6% | 16.4% | -1,488 | -4.8pp |
| Western Catholic | 4,048 | 10.4% | 15.7% | 4,679 | 12.8% | 19.3% | -631 | -2.4pp |
| Not stated | 3,013 | 7.8% | 12.1% | 3,628 | 9.9% | 12.4% | -615 | -2.1pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 1,844 | 4.8% | 3.2% | 1,510 | 4.1% | 3.3% | +334 | +0.7pp |
| Baptist | 1,195 | 3.1% | 1.6% | 1,184 | 3.2% | 1.8% | +11 | -0.1pp |
| Uniting Church | 1,032 | 2.7% | 2.1% | 1,473 | 4.0% | 3.2% | -441 | -1.3pp |
| Presbyterian | 416 | 1.1% | 0.9% | 638 | 1.7% | 1.4% | -222 | -0.6pp |
| Free Reformed | 400 | 1.0% | 0.1% | 484 | 1.3% | 0.1% | -84 | -0.3pp |
| Buddhism | 300 | 0.8% | 0.9% | 270 | 0.7% | 1.0% | +30 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 38,787 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 36,593 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,194 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.