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 East Pilbara (S), accounting for 38.8% (3,774 people). This share was lower than Regional WA (45.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Western Catholic, which decreased by 625 people and 4.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
East Pilbara (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for East Pilbara (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional WA and change since 2016.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for East Pilbara (S), with comparison markers for Regional WA.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
3,774
% of total
38.8%
Change from 2016
+6.0pp
3,774
38.8%
+6.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
2,459
% of total
25.3%
Change from 2016
+3.9pp
2,459
25.3%
+3.9pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
1,235
% of total
12.7%
Change from 2016
-4.9pp
1,235
12.7%
-4.9pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
431
% of total
4.4%
Change from 2016
-4.6pp
431
4.4%
-4.6pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
399
% of total
4.1%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
399
4.1%
+1.4pp
Baptist
2021 count
217
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
217
2.2%
-0.3pp
Australian Aboriginal Traditional Religions
2021 count
163
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
163
1.7%
+0.5pp
Lutheran
2021 count
153
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
153
1.6%
+0.5pp
Seventh-day Adventist
2021 count
122
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
122
1.3%
-1.1pp
Buddhism
2021 count
117
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
117
1.2%
-0.1pp
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+319
+6.0pp
Not stated
+197
+3.9pp
Western Catholic
-625
-4.9pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-518
-4.6pp
Christianity, nfd
+111
+1.4pp
Baptist
-48
-0.3pp
Australian Aboriginal Traditional Religions
+37
+0.5pp
Lutheran
+40
+0.5pp
Seventh-day Adventist
-133
-1.1pp
Buddhism
-15
-0.1pp
Data table
Religion for East Pilbara (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 | 3,774 | 38.8% | 45.6% | 3,455 | 32.8% | 33.8% | +319 | +6.0pp |
| Not stated | 2,459 | 25.3% | 12.1% | 2,262 | 21.4% | 12.4% | +197 | +3.9pp |
| Western Catholic | 1,235 | 12.7% | 15.7% | 1,860 | 17.6% | 19.3% | -625 | -4.9pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 431 | 4.4% | 11.3% | 949 | 9.0% | 16.4% | -518 | -4.6pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 399 | 4.1% | 3.2% | 288 | 2.7% | 3.3% | +111 | +1.4pp |
| Baptist | 217 | 2.2% | 1.6% | 265 | 2.5% | 1.8% | -48 | -0.3pp |
| Australian Aboriginal Traditional Religions | 163 | 1.7% | 0.2% | 126 | 1.2% | 0.2% | +37 | +0.5pp |
| Lutheran | 153 | 1.6% | 0.3% | 113 | 1.1% | 0.4% | +40 | +0.5pp |
| Seventh-day Adventist | 122 | 1.3% | 0.4% | 255 | 2.4% | 0.5% | -133 | -1.1pp |
| Buddhism | 117 | 1.2% | 0.9% | 132 | 1.3% | 1.0% | -15 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 9,737 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 10,549 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -812 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.