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 Esperance (S), accounting for 48.9% (6,791 people). This share was higher than Regional WA (45.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 2,080 people and 15.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Esperance (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Esperance (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional WA and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Esperance (S), with comparison markers for Regional WA.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
6,791
% of total
48.9%
Change from 2016
+15.8pp
6,791
48.9%
+15.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,639
% of total
11.8%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
1,639
11.8%
-1.5pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
1,604
% of total
11.6%
Change from 2016
-4.3pp
1,604
11.6%
-4.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
1,502
% of total
10.8%
Change from 2016
-6.4pp
1,502
10.8%
-6.4pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
663
% of total
4.8%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
663
4.8%
-0.7pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
405
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
405
2.9%
-1.4pp
Baptist
2021 count
203
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
203
1.5%
0.0pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
184
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
184
1.3%
-0.4pp
Lutheran
2021 count
177
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
177
1.3%
0.0pp
Jehovah's Witnesses
2021 count
119
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
119
0.9%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+2,080
+15.8pp
Not stated
-255
-1.5pp
Western Catholic
-664
-4.3pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-940
-6.4pp
Christianity, nfd
-121
-0.7pp
Uniting Church
-214
-1.4pp
Baptist
-10
0.0pp
Presbyterian
-51
-0.4pp
Lutheran
-10
0.0pp
Jehovah's Witnesses
+6
+0.1pp
Data table
Religion for Esperance (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 | 6,791 | 48.9% | 45.6% | 4,711 | 33.1% | 33.8% | +2,080 | +15.8pp |
| Not stated | 1,639 | 11.8% | 12.1% | 1,894 | 13.3% | 12.4% | -255 | -1.5pp |
| Western Catholic | 1,604 | 11.6% | 15.7% | 2,268 | 15.9% | 19.3% | -664 | -4.3pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 1,502 | 10.8% | 11.3% | 2,442 | 17.2% | 16.4% | -940 | -6.4pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 663 | 4.8% | 3.2% | 784 | 5.5% | 3.3% | -121 | -0.7pp |
| Uniting Church | 405 | 2.9% | 2.1% | 619 | 4.3% | 3.2% | -214 | -1.4pp |
| Baptist | 203 | 1.5% | 1.6% | 213 | 1.5% | 1.8% | -10 | 0.0pp |
| Presbyterian | 184 | 1.3% | 0.9% | 235 | 1.7% | 1.4% | -51 | -0.4pp |
| Lutheran | 177 | 1.3% | 0.3% | 187 | 1.3% | 0.4% | -10 | 0.0pp |
| Jehovah's Witnesses | 119 | 0.9% | 0.5% | 113 | 0.8% | 0.6% | +6 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 13,880 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 14,235 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -355 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.