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 Bunbury (C), accounting for 45.4% (14,986 people). This share was lower than Regional WA (45.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 4,449 people and 12.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Bunbury (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Bunbury (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional WA and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Bunbury (C), with comparison markers for Regional WA.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
14,986
% of total
45.4%
Change from 2016
+12.4pp
14,986
45.4%
+12.4pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
5,864
% of total
17.8%
Change from 2016
-3.6pp
5,864
17.8%
-3.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
4,207
% of total
12.8%
Change from 2016
-4.8pp
4,207
12.8%
-4.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
2,960
% of total
9.0%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
2,960
9.0%
-1.6pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
934
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
934
2.8%
-0.1pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
677
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
677
2.1%
-0.6pp
Baptist
2021 count
465
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
465
1.4%
-0.2pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
312
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
312
0.9%
-0.4pp
Buddhism
2021 count
309
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
309
0.9%
-0.3pp
Islam
2021 count
235
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
235
0.7%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+4,449
+12.4pp
Western Catholic
-957
-3.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-1,421
-4.8pp
Not stated
-417
-1.6pp
Christianity, nfd
-1
-0.1pp
Uniting Church
-199
-0.6pp
Baptist
-58
-0.2pp
Presbyterian
-105
-0.4pp
Buddhism
-78
-0.3pp
Islam
+32
+0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Bunbury (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 | 14,986 | 45.4% | 45.6% | 10,537 | 33.0% | 33.8% | +4,449 | +12.4pp |
| Western Catholic | 5,864 | 17.8% | 15.7% | 6,821 | 21.4% | 19.3% | -957 | -3.6pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 4,207 | 12.8% | 11.3% | 5,628 | 17.6% | 16.4% | -1,421 | -4.8pp |
| Not stated | 2,960 | 9.0% | 12.1% | 3,377 | 10.6% | 12.4% | -417 | -1.6pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 934 | 2.8% | 3.2% | 935 | 2.9% | 3.3% | -1 | -0.1pp |
| Uniting Church | 677 | 2.1% | 2.1% | 876 | 2.7% | 3.2% | -199 | -0.6pp |
| Baptist | 465 | 1.4% | 1.6% | 523 | 1.6% | 1.8% | -58 | -0.2pp |
| Presbyterian | 312 | 0.9% | 0.9% | 417 | 1.3% | 1.4% | -105 | -0.4pp |
| Buddhism | 309 | 0.9% | 0.9% | 387 | 1.2% | 1.0% | -78 | -0.3pp |
| Islam | 235 | 0.7% | 0.7% | 203 | 0.6% | 0.6% | +32 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 32,990 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 31,893 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,097 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.