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 Ashburton (S), accounting for 46.5% (3,430 people). This share was higher than Regional WA (45.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Western Catholic, which decreased by 1,608 people and 6 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Ashburton (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Ashburton (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional WA and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Ashburton (S), with comparison markers for Regional WA.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
3,430
% of total
46.5%
Change from 2016
+12.8pp
3,430
46.5%
+12.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,502
% of total
20.4%
Change from 2016
+2.1pp
1,502
20.4%
+2.1pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
1,086
% of total
14.7%
Change from 2016
-6.0pp
1,086
14.7%
-6.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
463
% of total
6.3%
Change from 2016
-5.3pp
463
6.3%
-5.3pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
156
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
156
2.1%
-0.4pp
Buddhism
2021 count
99
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
99
1.3%
-0.5pp
Australian Aboriginal Traditional Religions
2021 count
89
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
89
1.2%
+0.4pp
Baptist
2021 count
87
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
87
1.2%
0.0pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
79
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
79
1.1%
-0.9pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
58
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
58
0.8%
-0.9pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
-961
+12.8pp
Not stated
-883
+2.1pp
Western Catholic
-1,608
-6.0pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-1,046
-5.3pp
Christianity, nfd
-171
-0.4pp
Buddhism
-131
-0.5pp
Australian Aboriginal Traditional Religions
-12
+0.4pp
Baptist
-72
0.0pp
Uniting Church
-180
-0.9pp
Presbyterian
-165
-0.9pp
Data table
Religion for Ashburton (S). 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 | 3,430 | 46.5% | 45.6% | 4,391 | 33.7% | 33.8% | -961 | +12.8pp |
| Not stated | 1,502 | 20.4% | 12.1% | 2,385 | 18.3% | 12.4% | -883 | +2.1pp |
| Western Catholic | 1,086 | 14.7% | 15.7% | 2,694 | 20.7% | 19.3% | -1,608 | -6.0pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 463 | 6.3% | 11.3% | 1,509 | 11.6% | 16.4% | -1,046 | -5.3pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 156 | 2.1% | 3.2% | 327 | 2.5% | 3.3% | -171 | -0.4pp |
| Buddhism | 99 | 1.3% | 0.9% | 230 | 1.8% | 1.0% | -131 | -0.5pp |
| Australian Aboriginal Traditional Religions | 89 | 1.2% | 0.2% | 101 | 0.8% | 0.2% | -12 | +0.4pp |
| Baptist | 87 | 1.2% | 1.6% | 159 | 1.2% | 1.8% | -72 | 0.0pp |
| Uniting Church | 79 | 1.1% | 2.1% | 259 | 2.0% | 3.2% | -180 | -0.9pp |
| Presbyterian | 58 | 0.8% | 0.9% | 223 | 1.7% | 1.4% | -165 | -0.9pp |
| Total | 7,378 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 13,012 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -5,634 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.