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.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Greater Geraldton (C), with comparison markers for Regional WA.
No Religion, so described
2021 count
16,154
% of total
40.9%
Change from 2016
+11.1pp
16,154
40.9%
+11.1pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
8,819
% of total
22.3%
Change from 2016
-4.4pp
8,819
22.3%
-4.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
4,745
% of total
12.0%
Change from 2016
-4.5pp
4,745
12.0%
-4.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
4,179
% of total
10.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
4,179
10.6%
-0.1pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
1,025
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
1,025
2.6%
-0.5pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
781
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
781
2.0%
-0.7pp
Islam
2021 count
563
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
563
1.4%
0.0pp
Pentecostal, nfd
2021 count
527
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
527
1.3%
+0.3pp
Baptist
2021 count
358
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
358
0.9%
-0.1pp
Buddhism
2021 count
350
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
350
0.9%
0.0pp
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+4,653
+11.1pp
Western Catholic
-1,515
-4.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-1,636
-4.5pp
Not stated
+63
-0.1pp
Christianity, nfd
-188
-0.5pp
Uniting Church
-243
-0.7pp
Islam
+25
0.0pp
Pentecostal, nfd
+127
+0.3pp
Baptist
-44
-0.1pp
Buddhism
-6
0.0pp
Data table
Religion for Greater Geraldton (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 | 16,154 | 40.9% | 45.6% | 11,501 | 29.8% | 33.8% | +4,653 | +11.1pp |
| Western Catholic | 8,819 | 22.3% | 15.7% | 10,334 | 26.7% | 19.3% | -1,515 | -4.4pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 4,745 | 12.0% | 11.3% | 6,381 | 16.5% | 16.4% | -1,636 | -4.5pp |
| Not stated | 4,179 | 10.6% | 12.1% | 4,116 | 10.7% | 12.4% | +63 | -0.1pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 1,025 | 2.6% | 3.2% | 1,213 | 3.1% | 3.3% | -188 | -0.5pp |
| Uniting Church | 781 | 2.0% | 2.1% | 1,024 | 2.7% | 3.2% | -243 | -0.7pp |
| Islam | 563 | 1.4% | 0.7% | 538 | 1.4% | 0.6% | +25 | 0.0pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 527 | 1.3% | 0.5% | 400 | 1.0% | 0.7% | +127 | +0.3pp |
| Baptist | 358 | 0.9% | 1.6% | 402 | 1.0% | 1.8% | -44 | -0.1pp |
| Buddhism | 350 | 0.9% | 0.9% | 356 | 0.9% | 1.0% | -6 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 39,471 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 38,639 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +832 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.