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 Greater Geraldton (C), accounting for 40.9% (16,154 people). This share was lower than Regional WA (45.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 4,653 people and 11.1 percentage points.

Section overview

Religion - Ranked by size

Greater Geraldton (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises religion for Greater Geraldton (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional WA and change since 2016.

Religion - Ranked by size snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Greater Geraldton (C), with comparison markers for Regional WA.

Greater Geraldton (C)
Regional WA

No Religion, so described

2021 count

16,154

% of total

40.9%

Change from 2016

+11.1pp

Western Catholic

2021 count

8,819

% of total

22.3%

Change from 2016

-4.4pp

Anglican Church of Australia

2021 count

4,745

% of total

12.0%

Change from 2016

-4.5pp

Not stated

2021 count

4,179

% of total

10.6%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Christianity, nfd

2021 count

1,025

% of total

2.6%

Change from 2016

-0.5pp

Uniting Church

2021 count

781

% of total

2.0%

Change from 2016

-0.7pp

Islam

2021 count

563

% of total

1.4%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Pentecostal, nfd

2021 count

527

% of total

1.3%

Change from 2016

+0.3pp

Baptist

2021 count

358

% of total

0.9%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Buddhism

2021 count

350

% of total

0.9%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Data table

Religion for Greater Geraldton (C). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional WA.

Religion for Greater Geraldton (C). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional WA.
Religion for Greater Geraldton (C). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional WA.
Category20212016Change
Count%Regional WA%Count%Regional WA%Countpp
No Religion, so described16,15440.9%45.6%11,50129.8%33.8%+4,653+11.1pp
Western Catholic8,81922.3%15.7%10,33426.7%19.3%-1,515-4.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia4,74512.0%11.3%6,38116.5%16.4%-1,636-4.5pp
Not stated4,17910.6%12.1%4,11610.7%12.4%+63-0.1pp
Christianity, nfd1,0252.6%3.2%1,2133.1%3.3%-188-0.5pp
Uniting Church7812.0%2.1%1,0242.7%3.2%-243-0.7pp
Islam5631.4%0.7%5381.4%0.6%+250.0pp
Pentecostal, nfd5271.3%0.5%4001.0%0.7%+127+0.3pp
Baptist3580.9%1.6%4021.0%1.8%-44-0.1pp
Buddhism3500.9%0.9%3560.9%1.0%-60.0pp
Total39,471100.0%100.0%38,639100.0%100.0%+8320.0pp

Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.